There's a LIE in Believe

WEARING: LIE COLLECTION TRENCH | LIE COLLECTION RUFFLE SLEEVE TOP | 
JOE'S JEANS THE CHARLIE | GUCCI BELT | LOUIS VUITTON BAG | NINE WEST PUMPS

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THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SAKS OFF 5TH & LIE COLLECTION.

In case you missed last week's, 'Motorsport Trend' blog post, where I talked of up and coming Korean fashion designer, Chung Chung Lee of LIE Collection, and featured an amazing hybrid pair of navy blue track/tuxedo pants in the look, today's feature also includes some amazing pieces from his latest collection. Continue reading to see the coolest camel trench coat of the season along with a great pair of frayed hem jeans and a ruffle sleeve white top that combines both athleisure and chicness together. I'd like to think of it as an updated version of a casual classic look, with what will be trending this spring season. 

Many classic camel trenches have a horn buckle and button fastenings, a trans-seasonal appeal offering any wardrobe great versatility. Pair it with jeans and a white top for a casual chic look. But this LIE Collection trench coat is anything but traditional. It's ruched/buttoned sleeves are beautifully detailed with a large tag around the waist belt with the writing, 'LIE' on one side, and 'BELIEVE' on the other. "I think nobody is perfect, but that is the real beauty,” Lee said. “We don’t have to think about stand-out beauty or a beauty contest. I want to talk about real, natural beauty.” In that real beauty cannot be a lie. It's not a lie if you believe in it, no matter if it's beauty or, overall, yourself. 

The white ruffled sleeve top is also by LIE Collection. Its slit detail button-down blouse with ruffles and drawstrings definitely amp up the typical white bouse. Its athleisure details are what's currently trending. The cutouts on the arms of the blouse are great for layering, especially right now when the weather won't quite exactly shift to spring. It can also be worn with skirts and dresses, but I kept it with jeans as I'm really a jeans gal. It's rare that I wear more feminine pieces. The jeans are from Joe's Jeans. I got them at Saks Off Fifth and I got them for just a little over $100! They're having a denim sale‪ till 3/27, you can get 40% off all denim in stores and online so you can stock up on cute new jeans for the spring season!

These Nine West white pumps were sold out for a hot minute, but they're now back in stock. Click here for shopping link or shop at the beginning or end of this blog post. What's your take on this updated classic look? Do you like what you're seeing trending? And what are you most looking forward to wearing this season? Leave your comments down below, I don't always have time to comment back but I do read each and every message from you guys! Until next time, let us pray for less snow and a little more spring. ;)

LOVE & XX'S,

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NYFW AW 18 Full Recap

SEVEN ALL AROUND

Where can a city girl find a chic-but-wearable shoe? Look no further - Seven All Around embodies comfort but with an elegant style. Often times there is a lack thereof, whether it's too clunky or not aesthetically-sound, it fails to hit a complete mark. Heesung Choi, the founder of the footwear brand debuted ahead of New York Fashion Week. Her resumé is impressive: After graduating from the Parsons School of Design, Choi spent the first eight years of her career at Rag & Bone (as one of the founding employees), where she worked on both women’s ready-to-wear and footwear collections (including the brand’s early collaboration with Manolo Blahnik). Most recently, she was head of design for Public School. The South Korean-born designer wanted to create shoes for herself that would accommodate long hours of fittings and dinner with friends in New York, working remotely with her mother in Seoul to develop the shoes. From ankle boots to platform oxfords, and even flatform sandals, they are all extremely wearing while simultaneously very presentable. The built-in cork padding and sneakerlike cushioning are definite design details and measurements that will in all likelihood be a major success. 

GRETA CONSTANTINE

Set in a three-story apartment, each Greta Constantine model wore thigh-high boots in a variety of reversible, colored sequins paired with skirts, dresses, and trousers that channeled the ultimate Eighties glam. Reversible sequins were the majority of the collection, like a green and blue trouser with a matching, oversized loose blazer. To add a dramatic flair, brocade blazers and sheer blouses had defined, exaggerated shoulders, and large sashes were tied around waists. The collection was bold, but held a nice reminder that fashion can still definitely be fun.

COLOVOS

Colovos is known to be minimal with an arty streak. The show-opening loose-fit trench set an easeful silhouette, one which emphasized to their tailoring: Jacket volumes were lightly gathered in back. Dresses layered over pants, a look that can tend to look over-styled, but here rather a nonchalant can-do quality. Webbed nylon shoulder straps on dresses were definitely stressing on the trend of utility. The Colovoses are jean experts from the early days. They showed their denim head to toe today, and the jeans had a baggy-but-tapered fit that looked current and trendy. Makeup done by Mac Cosmetics: lead by Romy Soleimani. Hair done by Pureology: lead by Ruth Roche. Nails done by Zoya: lead by Alicia Torello and jewelry by Laura Lombardi.

BCBGMAXAZRIA

A fusion between modernism and romanticism, BCBGMAXAZRIA was one of my favorite backstage experiences of NYFW along with the presentation. I really enjoyed their exploration of the contrast of feminity, masculine, hard and soft, playful and strict. But what made it all flow together so beautiful is this effortless manner while doing so. It's what BCBGMAXAZRIA is known for and they did not disappoint when it came to the AW18 collection. A job well done to the creative director, Bernd Kroeber and to the five female artists, including fashion illustrator Blair Breitenstein, that created artwork that was incorporated into the venue. Makeup by Huxley: lead by Jodie Roland. Hair by Cutler Salon/Redken: lead by Emily Heser. Nails by Zoya: lead by Naomi Gonzales.

CONCEPT KOREA

This season, Concept Korea presented two womenswear labels: Lie by Chung Chung Lee, and Greedilous by Younhee Park. Park presented her collection first, which included a collaboration with Beyoncé stylist Ty Young. Park was influenced by beauty in women, particularly on extreme glamour, the Palace of Versailles and the romance of Marie Antoinette’s style. Lee took a more political bent, titling his collection “GLOBAL WARMING; It’s not justICE.” The play on words is meant to bring awareness to global warming—more specifically icebergs. He tells us that fractured icebergs were the point of inspiration for many of the collection’s prints, patterns, and details in addition to colors of the Arctic Northern Lights and blue skies. “They serve as a reminder that this beautiful environment could ultimately disappear,” Lee says. Overall, the exposure of Korean Fashion in the American market is booming. Watch out, guys. You'll be seeing a lot more in the next few years.

NINE WEST 40TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY

The perfect way to kick off New York Fashion Week? Attend a fabulous party! I was fortunate enough to be invited to Nine West's 40th Year Anniversary party in downtown Manhattan at the VNYL. At the party, Nine West also launched its vintage-inspired capsule collection. Featuring 11 styles, the limited-edition line includes signature silhouettes and trends from the past four decades, including platform heels with a nod to the ’70s, architectural pumps that defined the ’80s and wedges that epitomized the ’90s. I remember my first pair of Nine West shoes from junior high, and they were the black platform heels everyone was wearing :) Good Times.

YUNA YANG

Models sashayed through the halls of the Margo Feiden Gallery in Greenwich Village presenting Yuna Yang’s bespoke womenswear collection. “Love Yourself”, the title of her collection, was embellished across the front of hats, on the backs of jackets and down the sides of sleeves. According to press notes, she “wanted to send a message about the importance of loving yourself. Every woman, regardless of race and status, should be treated fairly and equally”. A resonating message that coincides with the current changing landscape, not just in fashion, but throughout every industry. Inspired by colors, textures, and narratives in fine art, the original work by Al Hirschfeld was a splendid backdrop to the pieces incorporating east and west influences. Represented by a diverse range of models, her collection combined high and low elements visible in her designs and fabric choice. Leather ruffled skirts were paired with lace varsity jackets while silk organza dresses floated over jeans. Sporty, luxurious and an all-around feeling of empowerment.

TIBI

Even though I didn't get to see the Tibi show, I did go backstage with Aveda to learn more about the look for the show. Ultimate cool girl vibes, the collection was inspired by cities, construction, and architecture.  Striking a perfectly brilliant balance between fashion and utility, the looks did not disappoint as the ultimate wardrobe for the NYC woman constantly on the go. I adored the unpolished look of the hairstyles, it kept the looks versatile yet clean. Hair by Aveda: lead by Frank Rizzieri. Makeup by Stila Cosmetics. Nails by Jin Soon.  

TANYA TAYLOR

Known for her signature hand-painted floral prints, Tanya Taylor's AW 18 had less of that but with that came a greater emphasis on silhouettes, like curvy drapes and asymmetrical slouches. Tanya Taylor’s watercolor fall florals and plaid patterns came together in perfect harmony. More surprising were the pieces that nixed print altogether, like the zeitgeist-y turtleneck dress with rows of hand-stitched chrome sequins. The paillettes got bigger and flashier on a completely backless high-low tank styled over houndstooth trousers. Fans of ’90s and early-aughts style will say it’s evident of the “going out top” revival, but the pants (brown houndstooth with hints of neon pink) were worth a second look too. And the pops of color with yellow, pink and orange sealed with collection with perfection.

BEVZA

Only the second season Bevza has shown in NYFW, it was my first. Ukrainian-origins of the designer was apparent in the collection. Diaphanous silk dresses with ruching at the bust; they came in sweet candy colors like sugar pink, pale blue, and a rich green, a number that was inspired by Eastern European folklore and fairytales, it just sometimes works. As if it was a mixture of upper-class royalty and peasantry, the most spectacular outputs were the most abstract ones: a snow-white dress with linen reliefs and a deep neckline on Alla Kostromicheva, and outfits with complex assignments that repeat the shape of hosiery belts in that gentle pastel range. Specifically, the designer sent out a series of puffy nylon coats printed with animal skins and pieced together in strips to create the illusion of fur. Truly spectacular and with the times! I enjoyed this show immensely, and am hoping to see more of this kind of fluidity in Bevza's later work. 

ZERO + MARIA CORNEJO

Fall is a terrific collection for Cornejo, full of bright shades such as turquoise and a reddish orange and novel-for-her fabrics such as a wide-wale cord that she cut into a skirt suit (not as traditional as it sounds) and a slinkier evening corduroy that turned up on a jumpsuit and an asymmetrically draped dress (one of my favs). The centerpiece is a tartan that she took the stuffing out of, draping and smocking it to create the easeful shapes she’s known for. This season was all about sustainability, as Cornejo reports that 84 percent of the collection is made locally in New York, which substantially reduces her clothing’s carbon footprint.  

LOVE & XX'S, 

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Color Block Me in Ivory, Please!

WEARING: SAKU New York HIGH NECK WOVEN IVORY DRESS | 
SAKU New York COLOR BLOCK LONG WOOL IVORY COAT | ODETTE &ODILE TWIGGY WHITE 
SUN SHADES | NINE WEST YEMETRA POINTY TOE PUMPS | DRESS LILY CROSSBODY BAG

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THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU New York, ODETTE & ODILE & SALON ICON NYC.

Happy Friday! Today's post is the last feature with SAKU New York. If you haven't been on MaQ + Suz in a minute, check back on two other coats I've styled from the same designer. The first one was a long brown wool vest and the second was a green wool coat. I'm very happy to share the third look which is a color block ivory coat! And I think it's my favorite out of the three, but it's hard to choose as all coats are top-quality and excellent tailoring. But today's outfit is probably my fav because it is a little "extra". I'm also featuring an ivory dress by SAKU New York too, which is super sexy and comfy to wear. Continue reading to see how I put this look together and how you can style a color block look in ivory too!

I've never been too big on wearing white during the winter. It comes from my figure skating days as we never wore white because of how washed out we'd look performing on the ice. White on white doesn't work in this case. And, also in Korean culture, when someone dies you wear white to their funeral instead of black. It's to celebrate a person's life rather than mourn for one. But this year is all about change, taking risks and doing things I otherwise don't normally do, or would never do! So I threw everything out the window and started wearing a lot more white during the winter. In this case, I paired a color block ivory coat with an ivory dress. Even white heels and white shades. I love the brown and blue in the coat as it really helps balance with all the ivory. The details on this wool coat are spectacular. And the dress is snug, but it really hugs in all the right places and I feel super sensual wearing it. I love the high neck to keep warm and also the hem of the dress. 

Can we talk about how chic these white sunnies are?! Definitely, glams up the look, don't you think? They're from an online accessories boutique based out of NYC, catering to multifaceted women. Providing chic and affordable handbags, sunglasses, and jewelry, you can see more at www.odette-odile.com/ I even have a cute clutch/crossbody Banksy bag, you can check it out in this post here. But ladies, if you're looking for new super-chic, affordable accessories, Odette & Odile is an e-boutique you'll be sure you'll want to check out!

Remember these white heels? From this black and white monochrome look, I'm bringing these beauties back again to show that they can be worn in many styles. From casual to more dressy, I truly love these Nine West pumps! They have a very modern shape and the chunky heels make it comfortable to wear. I think it helps polish up this look, with the browns from the coat and heel to the whites of the coat, dress, and heels, I definitely felt a bit, "Hollywood" in this ensemble. 

Finally, to complete the look, I have this light blue crossbody bag from Dress Lily. Not all my bags are high-end, but this Chloé-inspired bag is not only affordable but super cute and I don't have to constantly worry about spilling something on it as I am so accident prone. Ha ha ha! And the peach nude-colored nail polish is from my January Beauty Favorites blog post! It's my all-time favorite shade, I think I will be wearing this much more often. Lastly, my hairstyle from this look is all thanks to Salon Icon NYC. They've been around for ten years and I experienced their salon for the first time this past week and WOW! Super-professional and friendly, my blowout was done by Marina (ask for her!) using products by Moroccan Oil, Oribe, & Kerastase. 

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Chocolate Browns and Mustard Yellow

WEARING: s a k u NEW YORK TAILORED WOOL LONG VEST | H&M TURTLENECK SWEATER |
VVA CARLINA YELLOW LEATHER HANDBAG | 
GENUINE PEOPLE HIGH SLIT WOOL SHIRT SWEATER | EXPRESS PANTS | 
NINE WEST HADDRIANA POINTY TOE PUMPS | LINEA PELLE STUD AND GROMMET CHOKER | 
H&M TRIBAL SPIKE DROP EARRINGS

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THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BE s a k u NEW YORK & NINE WEST.

Phew! I don't know about you but I've had one of those weeks where it all went awry. Every single thing felt off as if the cosmic stars weren't aligned the way it should be. My website even went down, and though it was only for a couple of hours, you can imagine the stress that came along with it. But the true lesson, when faced with any adversity, is to adapt and overcome. These kind of moments, I believe, are testaments to our perseverance. And in the end, if you stick with it, things do tend to work itself out. I wanted to get this post up earlier in the week, but there is only so much one person can accomplish on their own. Everything nowadays is so fast-paced, the art of taking one's time seems to be non-existent. When did quantity become greater over quality? It is all about creativity and I think that sometimes in order to achieve a really good content, you do need to slow down and work your magic. It's like when film used to be the only medium for photographers. They didn't post-produce something in a day (YES I have done that SO many times) and time was on their side. It's like a first kiss. The longer you wait for it, I think the more you'll savor and linger in it. Rather than something instant. You appreciate it more, no? Continue reading to find out why I'm posting less on the blog and why less is always more.

Even when it comes to styling, I never like to go over the top. It always ends up looking like someone is just trying too hard and it never really quite right. Shock value? Sure. Attention-seeking? You bet. But sometimes a subtle detail can make an entire outfit. Like in today's post, I styled my hair a little differently. I used a Linea Pelle choker that is adjustable, so I gave my neck a lot of breathing room and used it to loosely 'bob' my hair. For us girls who have long, thick hair but don't have the face/features for a short bob, this styling tip is one I love dearly! It's even fun to play a joke on your gfs - send them a quick picture and tell them you chopped your hair... the responses are hysterical. This hairstyle with the use of a choker is ideal for layered hair, but I bet it would look just as smashing on hair that is also just one length. 

Remember me mentioning s a k u New York, my favorite Korean designer? I wore a couple of her pieces during fashion week and have also done several editorials. (Check here and here) Well, she's back with a whole new collection and it is amazing! Look at the long wool chocolate brown vest. The structure and cuts are beautiful along with the quality of the fabric. And thanks to the wool, it is super warm for winter and perfect for anyone who loves to participate in the layering game. I paired it up with a wool sweater dress by Genuine People and some mid-rise pants by Express.

To balance the strong masculine color of chocolate brown, I went with a mustard yellow in some of my accessories. This is probably the only time I think mustard and chocolate sound good together! Ha ha ha! The gorgeous springbok bag is from VVA by Sarah Haran and my pointy toe pumps in faux snake print are by Nine West. My tribal spike drop earrings are no longer in stock (they're over ten years old from H&M) but I linked a very similar pair in the 'Shop the Look' section at the end of this article. They're from Steve Madden and are also really affordable! Thanks for stopping by and as always, feel free to drop me a line in the comment box! Enjoy the rest of the weekend, stay tuned for a lot of upcoming content next week!

LOVE & XX'S,

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City Ballerina

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BLACK PLEATED SKIRT LINKED W/ SWEATSHIRT | 
RHODA WONG DUSTY ROSE SLEEVELESS TRANCH | MATT BERNSON MEZZA |
VVA IVY CALF GREEN POUCH HANDBAG

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THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU NEW YORK, RHODA WONG, & MATT BERNSON.

Friday calls for a mixup on ballet-like trends and a bit more feminine chicness! Today's post features two designers from my most recent post (check it out here - major Parisian feels) who are both extremely talented in their own rights. The pleated skirt linked sweatshirt by saku New York is a great staple piece to have in your closet. The adaptability of this piece is incredible, as I can see this being worn all-year round. It's a great combo for layering or just by itself. The vest (comes separately) scalloped collar and lace work are just gorgeous! I layered it with an insanely beautiful dusty rose sleeveless trench by Rhoda Wong, with intricate pocket and collar details. What really caught my eye was what's within the pocket, a handkerchief holder! Like chivalry, it is a rarity - a dying breed if you will... 

These Matt Bernson ballerina flats are my latest shoe obsession. You can wear these flats with or without the lace-up straps, whether tying them further up the legs to bring a gladiator/ballet-like feel to a look or even just around the ankles for a more definitive structured look, these versatile flats will be all the crazy this spring/summer season. And you bet I will layer these beauts with some sort of socks/tights come this fall! If you're looking to invest in a really good pair of flats, I really recommend these comfy and chic pair!

What's everyone up to this weekend? I will be working on more content for you guys - coming up on Monday will be a new cocktail recipe with one of my favorite liquors I've been drinking a lot of this year :) I can't wait to show you this spring-y, yummy and refreshing drink! Next week will also feature more sporty athleisure wear, but think more high-fashion, folks! And much more exciting projects in the works, it just keeps getting busier and busier! #forevergrateful 

LOVE & XX'S,

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