Sometimes I feel bad for London. Besides the several big names of the bunch that show in the city's fashion week, it seems to get lost amongst the buzz surrounding the start of fashion month and American commerciality and sportswear in New York, and the original two fashion cities with some of the biggest names and most anticipated shows in the industry in Milan and Paris. Many of the shows are slightly less commercial than New York's famed wearability and less, er, "fashion-y" for lack of a better word, than the two big European cities. 

I guess it was because of this fact that I felt there were fewer really wearable and notable trends to point out from the week in the UK for Spring 2014. But I don't want to seem like I'm hating on it. It doesn't mean there weren't some fantastic looks and collections to walk the runways, and some trends that were undeniably there, no matter how wearable. London is definitely a very fun and carefree fashion city, and the street style there has an extremely unique look to it, which gives the city a very interesting personality. 
-E

what it is: e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator
why I love it: It's common knowledge that exfoliating and bright, bold lip color goes hand in hand, but sometimes people don't want to take the extra step or invest the extra money. This exfoliator is not only cheap, it comes in a no-mess, easy to use lipstick packaging and you can FEEL it working. Some sort of colorful lip is in style every season, but exfoliating is especially important during the upcoming dry, harsh, colder months, particularly if you're going to go for a classic red or deep plum that's having a moment. Just throw this in your bag along with your lip color du jour, and you don't have to worry about flakes throughout the day! 
where to get it: Eyes Lips Face, $3.00
-E

A few months ago, my roommate got some sweet kicks, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them once I saw her wearing them for the first time. 

I’d had my eye on the look of high top sneakers for a while now, after I got over being staunchly non-sneaker (except Converses, of course!) for so long. People were wearing them in creative ways, but I thought it would be sartorially hypocritical to go for a pair. I thought it was the only thing I couldn't "pull off" (usually I feel that if you like it, wear it, and being able to "pull something off" is all mental). Well, I got over that. Then I went on a search.

I looked at lots of options at DSW, Nike, Adidas, Foot Locker, Finish Line, Champs Sports, the usual suspects. I was having trouble making a decision, and everything started to look the same. Then I was at H&M and passed the boys department where I found these (Not available on the US website), and that was it. I fell in love, and my love affair is still going strong. Next up: taking out a mortgage for these Dsquared2 beauties. (Kidding. Kind of.)

A note on the hidden wedge sneaker: It wasn’t an accident that I left these out. I don’t hate them, but I was interested in the flat option in terms of comfort and aesthetic. On my search, I also found some fun places to find cool kicks: Be&d, Supra, Michael Kors, Yoox.
-E

I love TV. And we're pretty lucky these days. Network shows that run from fall to spring aren't our only options. In the absence of our New Girls and Scandals, we have our Game of Thrones and Mad Men that runs until mid-June, I'm one of the 50 or so people who watches So You Think You Can Dance all summer. Breaking Bad picks up mid-summer and runs through the beginning of fall, and when there's nothing you want to watch on TV, hit up Netflix or Hulu for some binging, like I've done this summer with Parks and Rec, Orange is the New Black, Breaking Bad, House of Cards....and I'll stop embarrassing myself now. 

Despite a wealth of amazing TV all year round and tons of resources to catch up on whatever you please at any time, it's still so exciting that as days get shorter and summer dwindles, our good old network shows come back, giving us a sense of schedule and routine. The promise of new favorites is almost as exciting as anticipating the return of old ones.That amazing time starts this week, yay! And capping off the week of premieres are the Emmys, the ultimate celebration of all the amazing TV there is. Enjoy, whatever you may be watching.
-E

For those of you who don't know, the Phillip Lim for Target collection went on sale today. This makes it a great day for many reasons, but mainly we commoners can now get these babies for $34.99. Any sane fashion follower had this same thought, and I had never before attempted to be one of the crazy determined shoppers ahead of the curve on one of these things. When I logged onto my computer and pulled up Target.com at 11:27PM on September 14th, I didn't know what the next (typo-ridden) FOUR AND A HALF hours had in store for me (and Stephanie).

and thats a wrap!


I might not have had a stressful week running from show to show, but I kept close watch on the new collections, and I have renewed excitement for warmer weather that will start to approach six months from now. There was a lot to take in this week, as there always is, but there were also several very clear trends. Black and white, all white, orange, florals, gilded gold, beautiful gowns--all these things came down the runway time and again in fresh new ways. Here are some of my ending notes for the eventful week!
-E

 

flower girls.

Florals for spring are nothing new, but spring 2014 saw flowers come out in all different forms--3D appliqués, loud patterns, muted colors and more. This season's florals sent a message that florals don't only mean flowers, there can be other garden greenery involved. And they don't just mean girly or romantic dresses, they can be dramatic, sexy, sophisticated and sometimes dark on any item of clothing. 

From all over micro prints to jumbo flowered gowns in all different textures and colors, almost every sartorial type of flower was [excuse the cringe-inducing pun] in full bloom. I'm not much of a flower person, but this week's shows have convinced me to invest once the trends start hitting shelves next spring.
-E

all buttoned up.

Collars used to be a symbol of conservative dress, leaving little in the creativity department and mainly residing in the "corporate" or "preppy" categories of dress. Designers have turned that less than glamorous association on its head in the last few seasons with buttoned up to the neck collars in girly fabrics and eye-catching embellishment, making what used to be boring, exciting. Spring 2014 is no different, and I'm loving the spins designers are putting on the collar, especially on dresses. Sure, there are the expected collared shirts and shirtdresses, but it's been a lot of fun to see the normally starchy neckwear somewhat ironically contrast a shapeless or not so conservative dress in a surprising way.
-E

all white everything.

Of course spring is all about the little white dress, the LBD's warm weather alternative, but this season it seems like white is a little more all over than in past springs. In modern, dramatic and feminine silhouettes (both solid snowy white AND interesting patterns and textures), white seems fresher than ever. You can almost forget how impractical an all white wardrobe would be...almost.
-E

underwear is the new formal wear.

There's something I've always loved about a slip dress. It's simple, elegant and feminine, but also extremely sexy without being overt (except for its origins, of course). It's easy to dress them up in a straightforward way, but also in an ironic way for some fun. It seems that these 90s grunge staples are back for spring, but (of course) updated. They're so easy for spring and summer formal events because they're light and airy and align with the vibe of the easy seasons with long, sultry nights out. But there's something even better about daring to wear one in colder weather, with a sweater or tights and heavier additions to the simple garment that usually begs for a good sandal stiletto and elegant jewelry. 
-E