Stylish with Substance

I'm home from an event held by TJ Maxx (which is also the same company as Marshalls, they're both really similar, and together a huuuge "buyer" power).

Too aware of the tons of blog posts about this Behind the Seams event that go over all the lessons we learned (and I re-learned, but in a fun way) (search Google and see), I know while I'll be blogging about it, I'll be doing it my own way.

Nanette Lepore: a sample brand (an uber fave of mine!) at a TJ Maxx that has a higher-end section. Search the TJ Maxx website for what's near you.

1. More colors or even styles in those fashion items. Regular department store heads/buyers are too concerned with and worried over what might not sell. The TJ Maxx company posesses the knowledge that they fare better being fearless so they can better appeal to the designers, directly, which is just one small way they get those savings they pass on to "Maxxinista" customers.
2. While one is loading up on $17 jeans or up to %60 marked down items from designers that can range from Gucci to Nanette Lepore to Diesel to The Limited (wait, seriously? Yes, The Limited is at TJ Maxx and not just their own stores - get their great pants fits for less!) ....... annnnyway, while one is loading themselves with all this stuff to try on, she can do that shopping with a shopping cart, instead of a deadening arm. (It's a positive blend of high and low.)

Surely now, more than ever, I am a Maxxinista. Whether it's for those super affordable pants, or later when I have a little more in the budget, going nuts over any Nanette Lepore shipments. Le sighhhh.

There's a lot more to blog about, including, hopefully, what I wore, and even a giveaway or two. But not only am I currently exhausted, but I have a family emergency. I will get to as many posts as I can in the coming days!!! (And I should get to more details about my family plans.)

In the meantime, in between checking back here, of course; feel free to check out a few of the other bloggers who attended:

• www.jewelsfablife.com
• www.beautyandbedlam.com
• www.vivafashionblog.com
• www.coolmomscooltips.blogspot.com (note: plays auto sound/video) *update: Sorry I typed the wrong URL at first. :-)

Ever since my early days of watching the runways (same as my early days of blogging), I've been watching and enamored with Verrier. Here is my first piece on the designer, short & simple amid the Fashion Week rush. It's discoveries like these why I try to watch as many of the New York shows as I can, lesser-knowns among famous favorites.

As I tried to merely fit in some catwalk viewing over my busy weekend, I lost time for many, but kept a high priority for Verrier. I needed to find another source outside Style.com (where Verrier was not covered) though, and I found it on WWD.com. Luckily then the viewing was worth the wait and effort, after my anticipation was furthered and incited heavier by Women's Wear Daily's description;

"Tea-length dresses and a romantic sensibility enhanced Ashleigh Verrier’s Thursday-evening soiree-style presentation at The Box in Lincoln Center. The designer, inspired by “The Great Gatsby” and American women in the Twenties, sent out a pretty lineup of delicate, feminine looks — from an eye-catching green lace fitted blouse over a green miniskirt to below-the-knee crinolines paired up with a tweed jacket or silk blouse."

The actual show held much to love and various aspects about which to talk. I'll save most for my favorites gallery comments or other roundup pieces, so for now here is a bit of commentary on a slightly unique vision I found amusing...

Voyeur Verrier

Ashleigh Verrier keeps the ladylike in undergarments and brings it into underwear-as-outerwear. I just adore her.

This NYFW year, I've been sort of introduced to the concept of using Fashion Week to this-far-ahead plan a season wardrobe with new additions or remixes, and I'm warming up to the idea for Spring. To keep things within a less-than-designer budget, perhaps I'll buy a vintage a-line crinoline slip to wear over knee or tea-length flared skirts. (What do you think? Would you wear that?) I won't show much of any leg under the slip, so as to keep the look heavily-purposeful (as though one garment) and as classy as it can be.

It's "Ladies who Dessert".

The looks show the remain of the lace trend, and sort of bounce it on its head. Seen here is the sheer piece being something other than the lace. Ashleigh switched up other trends, which I'll feature in a later over-arching theme post.

Boudoir to boardroom. Or neither, rather. I wonder how you would wear this? I love this, but I can't decide whether they can't be separated to be as fabulous, or must be to fit in with life.

What Ashleigh wants you to take away; that sexy is ladylike and classy. ;-)

Photos: Designer courtesy of Ashleigh Verrier, others Women's Wear Daily.

If you don't yet know what this is or about the Independent Fashion Bloggers, then you are probably not a blogger, but just know it's a great group of great blogs so you'll enjoy the links down the page. :-)

I'm getting back into posting these, for many reasons I stopped and many more why I hope to continue. I do think this means I must share more of my own content in between, but that's a good goal.

Now that I'm taking many ensemble photos per week (Fashion Week's getting in the way of most of everything else though), it shouldn't be hard to blog nearly every day, and usually more than once (or twice). Also because of that, since this "roundup" I've started and may continue to write entries along a major theme this week, work or weekday wear as those pertain to Fashion Week and generally dressing in new ways, but in my own way. (A recent ensemble post of mine was basically in the "new theme" because of my new confidence!) I know I'm starting to gather more inspiration for ensembles to switch things up outside my own brain, but I'm also inspired by the catwalk and boisterousness of Fashion Week, itself (a topic obviously present and mentioned in the theme description below), and I plan to follow a challenge I've set for myself soon. For now, busy busy busy! And we'll just see how much I can even fit into my writing for one day! ;-)

On to the great links for this Sunday evening, while I've laid back some this (Fashion) weekend, but isn't it so needed?? You can enjoy these and enjoy more content back here tomorrow. -Ella

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Round Up

The thing that's pretty new for me with this ensemble is the scarf around my neck. I mean, even though I've wanted to wear something like that for a while, I really never have. I love the look but I have long had this thing with my neck; a choking feeling. It's worse when I'm stressed, and I guess I'm just more mentally stable lately. Sounds weird, but I'm happy with my style progression. This kind of thing will come back.

I loved the outfit's overall French feel. By late afternoon, though, I realized these shoes were just not doing it for me with the ensemble, so I changed into my new-ish Payless wedges.

Seen here:

Their vintage quality (seen from the front view) really pulled everything together better.

As you can see I still feel weird about a giant zoom of my face, so the earring detail is cropped like you can see. I have no problem with keeping myself at this distance, heh, it's my right.

By the way, I want to add that my hair is pulled back. I didn't want it covering the outfit, heh!

Takeaway Photography Tip:

Don't forget to shut off flash in daylight and I'm better off with a new (standard) tripod to more easily deal with my new favorite photo area and my camera's particular settings. I bought one for $9 (super bargain, and it's amazing) and it's arrived!!! More on that later.

Credits!

• Allover Lace Top: Charlotte Russe - available now, 2 for $20.
• Blackish Tank: Express - old
• Beige/White Seersucker Pleated Skirt: "In Moda" @ Bealls Outlet Spring '10. Locate a store.
• Scarf-print belt as scarf: Aeropostale (free with capris) - oldoldold
• Bag: Louis Vuitton "Alma" - available now, LouisVuitton.com Alma page.
• Leather black/tan Sandals: Maripé @ Rack Room Shoes - available still - locate a store.
• Bag/Shoe Bracelet: Gift, unknown
• Rhinestone/Pearl Earrings: Unknown, old
• My signature sunglasses: Kate Spade, old

Once again, it's a series called Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday. Blogger, Katy Rose asks us FBFF members fabulous questions. Care to participate?

Katy,

"With all the talk about New York's Fashion Week I thought it only fitting to do a Friend Friday on the topic. While every other blog out there will be talking about the trends and the shows we can take a break and talk about the bigger picture, etc... I'm already finding all the coverage fun but a little overwhelming. What about you??"

(That was a little pre-question, but I'll answer it.)

I'm an old veteran of fashion week, but only from afar. After one week I'm always super wiped from it all, but as I read this on Wednesday, hardly even the stress had begun for me. ;-) I'm still getting the hang of covering everything in a way I love and am comfortable with. Hopefully before it's polished to perfection, I won't be "afar" anymore, and there will be madness to figure out. But fun, good madness. Wish me luck in affording to visit. (Before the recession, I don't think there were as many public or blogger events, and I didn't then know we could apply to attend shows.)

Q1. Do you pay attention to the shows during fashion week? Which designers collections are you looking forward to seeing?

A1. Always for New York, I seem to run out of steam at the end of NYC's week, though. I always look forward to Marc Jacobs for some reason, and there are so many others, it's hard to keep track. A lot of those in the states' shows are smaller designers I don't know well, but I try to peruse every single show, at least in the beginning.

Q2. Where are you getting your Fashion Week news from?

A2. Usually Style.com with some tips from MBFashionWeek.com. If I have time, I get over to DailyFrontRow.com, too. I don't have much time for a lot!!

Q3. Over the years the runway has become more than just models displaying the creations of a designer. They are now spectacles. Do you think that adds or detracts from the fashion?

A3. For me personally, it detracts, but to each his or her own. I'm not into spectacle of certain kinds, like on the catwalk or on Lady GaGa, I guess I'm more into the pure form of the actual art. Am I a dork? (Well, yes, I know I am.)

Q4. Twice a year, as models begin to strut the catwalk we see articles about model size and body image. Do you think the super thin models are offering an unattainable goal to the public or are we immune to their looks?

A4. There really is a marketing benefit from these catwalking women who are size 2s with AA cups, but not skeletal 00s, who are, don't forget, also giants. "Models" are supposed to be like human mannequins, or actually it's much more like human clotheshangers, and not detract from the clothes, but there are major problems with it, too, of course. One is that they're called "models". That makes them sound like role models for beauty, which they really shouldn't be, nor should ever have been. Many models are not even attractive in the slightest, and that's fine - but they still get this cred and reputation. Then young women are confused, saddened and jealous, and women of all ages feel fat and dwarfish, which even leads many to wear painful shoes any day, anywhere. Hardly any person is immune, as well!

"Model thin" is not the example of a good body; it shouldn't be an example of anything; they should just disappear behind the cloth, but society really screwed that up.

We seriously need a campaign to change the name of models, at least in a section of the blogging world. Say it with me, "human clotheshangers!"

Q5. If you could sit front row at any show what would you want to see? And which celebrity would you want to be sitting next to?

A5. Oh gosh, again I think I always turn to Marc Jacobs, and even though I love him, I'm not sure why. Right now I hardly have time to think about it, but this year I know I lost a contest to attend his show, additionally with all accomodations paid, so that puts him on my mind. But each year before, I thought of his shows, in particular. I do think it's simply because he was my oldest (and longest) favorite of the big leagues, and not just for bags (my original high-end love), for clothes.

As for which celebrity, well I'm not into celebs, so I think I might go with Anna Wintour, although I'd be super nervous about how my ensemble measures up. As far as fashion goes, she is the ultimate.

There's a lot more Fashion Week on our home page, and more body image talk in the weight category. Also see our Campaign for Healthy Body Image(s).

I kind of think the Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2011 collection is a girly girl's dream. Or that of anyone who loves ruffles as much as I do. There's hardly anything to say - beyond photos - about pieces unique yet subtle and sophisticated or unique and just wildly out there.  Wild prints were also a part of the New York Fashion Week show, but not in a full-out leopard-y way.

Style.com writers did not seem to like, but Ella does! That's all I have to say,  so on to the eye candy...

I would buy this, for sure, if I made a high income.

Reminds me of coral, but what's wrong with that?

Larger than life; is that so wrong?