Shopping Sales

Forget Black Friday, a lot of stores are having their sales early. Check out these epic sales from our favorite department stores...

Neiman Marcus - Gift card event! Shop and you shall receive gift cards. Use BESTGC at checkout - Ends today!

Lord & Taylor - Friends & Family sale time! Get an extra 25% off almost everything, and 10% off cosmetics and fragrances. Use promo code: FRIENDS.

Bloomingdale's - Fashion Smash event, extra points on shopping which leads to reward cards! You have to be a loyalist, but you can sign up online if you're not.

New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014

I had trouble sleeping last night because I was so excited for this morning. I'm flying into NYC today for Fashion Week! Last year was my first year attending and it was a ton of fun, but extremely intense. I had great NYC blogger friends (shout out to the Collective!) who gave me advice and tips, but it was still a really hectic week!

Me at Daily lounge during NYFW '12

This year I feel much more prepared, but I'm sure it will be just as much of a whirlwind as it was last year. If you'll be in town for your first Fashion Week in NYC, here are my tips to you (paying it forward!):

• Stay organized by adding all of your shows to Google Calendar or some kind of calendar that will send you reminders. Sync this with your phone so you have it handy at all times. Make sure to add physical and email addresses into the invite details.
• Leave yourself time to get in between shows. Basically, don't overbook yourself! Map out the shows on a map if they're not all in Lincoln Center to make sure you have enough time to get from one to the other.
• There is a lot of pressure to wear horribly uncomfortable shoes to look good...if you must, pack comfortable ones in your purse to switch out in between shows.
• Bring band aids for blisters. There's a lot of walking to be done!
• Pack your make up for touch ups. It's going to be a warm weekend and you may work up a sweat getting between shows. You always want to be camera ready when at shows.
• Gift bags and swag are great, but remember that you will have to carry these bags around all day...so keep this in mind and only take what you truly want. 
• Bring snacks!
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. 
• Fashion show etiquette: If you RSVP for a party or show, go! If you can't make it, email your contact and let them know. Chances are, there are several people on a waiting list, wanting to attend.

If you can't make it to NYC but want to stay up to date with shows, trends and the behind the scene action, check out the following....

• Some designers are streaming their shows live from their websites or YouTube channels. For example, Rebecca Minkoff is starting to stream at 3pm EST on Sept 6. Tune in for show and behind the scenes action. Live stream can be viewed from www.rebeccaminkoff.com.
• The official Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week site will also be live streaming some shows. 
• Popsugar.com/Fashion is providing up to date coverage all week.  
• Pinterest has a Fashion Week page to keep up to date on fashion forward pins. Check it out here.
• Last but not least, Fashion and Beauty bloggers are also a good resource to check out during and after Fashion Week to get the behind the scenes scoop and pictures from the runway. Check out these NYC blogger Instagram accounts:
• instagram.com/fashionistanygirl
• instagram.com/alexshook
• instagram.com/nessasusana
• instagram.com/lolbeauty
• instagram.com/starcrossedsml  
• instagram.com/beautyinnewyork
• instagram.com/fashionablypetit 
• instagram.com/jaclynsiu
• instagram.com/digitalgent
• instagram.com/thetinytierant
• instagram.com/collegewalk   
• instagram.com/lipglossbreak - that's me!

SXE Fitness debuts The Sammi Sweetheart Collection

If you’ve ever watched an episode of MTV’s Jersey Shore, you’ll know who Sammi ‘Sweetheart’ Giancola is. She’s the sweet one of the bunch, and the girlfriend to Ronnie (my 2^nd favorite gorilla juice head!). I was intrigued when I found out that Sammi was teaming up with SXE Fitness to create a line of fitness wear, and that intrigue turned to excitement when I got an invite to attend the debut of the line during New York Fashion Week!

I know that Sammi played soccer in college so it didn't surprise me that she went the fitness line route. The line she designed is sporty, chic and very girly. The line includes all the gym bag necessities, including sports bras, jackets, pants, capris and tops. I liked the different cuts and styles of the sports bras, she had a ton of variation. The pants had pops of colors on the pockets that were super cute. I also have my eye on a camo print jacket. 

The line is engineered with Supplex technology to help you feel dry, make you look slimmer and hide flaws. The line also contains SXE's special Booty-Lift technology in the pants for added support. It also doesn't wrinkle or shrink. 

One can tell from her onscreen time on the Jersey Shore that Sammi always like to look good, even at the gym. She was motivated by one simple question when creating this line: "Why not feel good and look good while working out?" Her goal: "design a fitness-wear line that spoke to how women want to feel when working out: stylish, sexy, comfortable and confident." I'm guilty of putting on lipgloss at the gym, so I can relate! Sammi finished her show by walking the runway herself. Nice work Sammi! 

Sammi & Ronnie from The Jersey Shore cast

Photos from Krupp NYC

NYFW Coverage

Glam.com is sharing great video coverage of shows. Check them out here!

Donna Karan's DKNY Spring 13 show at Videopump.tv.

CND Behind the Stage - details on their blog.

Yuna Yang SS13 Collection

Bucket List item #26: Attend a NY Fashion Show...check!

My first show was Friday after work. Yuna Yang chose a very unique location, the NASDAQ Marketsite. The models strutted their stuff around the open glass middle while we overlooked Times Square.

For her SS13 Collection, Yuna drew inspiration from the musical layers and rhythm of the rock band, Civil Twilight. Her SS13 collection features a foundation of French chantelle lace with modern touches of Japanese polka dots.

Lots of pastels, a few red pieces, lace and dots. I love the lace overlay dress, especially in the baby blue she picked out. I'm also a fan of the long lace overlay over a shorter dress. Its an option for non-maxi dress wearers (like me) to try out the longer look. I'll take one of the laced back dresses for work, please!

Close Your Eyes and See the World

NY Fashion Week Guide - Part 1

NY Fashion Week is full steam ahead! Even if you're not in front row for the shows (I'm not!), there are several events going on in the city. And if you're not in the area, you can still check out live streaming shows from your couch. Check these out:

Get behind the scene footage from TINte Cosmetics at the W118 by Walter Baker show! Follow them on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to get a peak behind stage!

Maybelline New York will be partnering up with YouTube to stream live Fashion Week shows, news, beauty tips and fashion tips all throughout Fashion Week. Check out YouTube.com/LiveRunway!

Livestream invites you to experience Fashion Night Out and MADE Fashion Week's live runway shows on New Livestream. See what's happening on & off the runway!

If you're in NYC:

Stop by the Beauty Bus in Lincoln Center, Sept 7 & 8 from Noon to 6pm each day. Hair Room Service, celebrity stylist mobile salon, and StyleHaul, the largest original fashion and beauty video content community, will be making over Manhattan, from the bus! Celebrity stylists will be armed with OSiS by Schwarzkopf Professional and NYX Cosmetics to bring the trends from the runways to the street! Stop by for a makeup and hair touch up or mini manicure! More details here.

More events to come - Stay Tuned!