In Her Shoes

Are you a fan of Mary-Kate and Ashley’s clothing line Elizabeth & James? What about The Row? And their jewelry collaboration with Robert Lee Norris? The latest MK & A collection is footwear; they've teamed up with Steve Madden to create polished heeled shoes. Here’s the latest looks, which will retail from $195-$500. They will be available in high-end department stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

If The Shoe Fits

With the beginning of spring and my focus lately on summer internships, I've naturally been thinking about new summer styles and what to wear as a fashion intern. Shoes have never been my area of expertise, but I recently have become addicted, especially as they can make an outfit. Here are the some of the ones I have my eyes on:

Miu Miu Walnut Patent Leather 'Naplak Patch' Booties, however, way beyond my price range (on sale for $500 at Bluefly). Just dreaming though. http://www.bluefly.com/bmpdp/_/213503900/detail.fly
Urban Outfitter's Deena & Ozzy Herringbone Heel, $78. http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=60&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=15823628&parentid=W_SHOES_ALLSHOES&sortProperties=+product.marketingPriority,-product.startDate&navCount=15&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=W_SHOES_ALLSHOES&popId=WOMENS_SHOES&prepushId
This shoe has a tough romantic goth lookwith the snaps, laces and straps. Yet it is a polished leather peeptoe and would add some edge to a girly outfit. I can imagine the perfect floral dress plus these heels.

Bakers' Tatum Shoe in Coral, $79. http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?p=105213&cs=1

I saw these on whowhatweardaily.com, one of my favorite fashion blogs and not to mention my homepage. I loved the wooden heel and although not normally one who can walk in heels, I've really gotten into that style. The colors are fun and practical (neutrals) but the coral provides a vivacious appeal. This shoe makes me so excited for summer.

Bakers' Berkley, $69.99 http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=318&p=103979
Bakers calls these shoes "birdcage rage" which I think is hilarious. I love the height, criss cross straps and zipper in the back. Putting these on with a high waisted skirt, summer dress or even pants and a cute blazer would be adorable.

Bakers' Irma, $49.99, http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=299&p=95670

Well this is a fall or winter shoe, but it would have been perfect for all the interviews I had last week. It's a cute pump with not too big a heel, but enough for height. Although brown, it's feminine with the ruffled t-strap and would add an accent color to my favorite go to black dresses.
I ended up getting a few of these shoes after fantasizing about them so much, but also had great finds at Nine West & Nine West Outlet. They have amazing basic strappy heeled sandals in brown and black that are sophisticated enough for the office or going out to dinner. They also have a wide selection of gladiators which I love and are still in this season!

A Worthy Affair

The next fashion soirée of the season is the 2nd Annual Designer Accessories Auction and Cocktail Celebration on April 27th, a glamorous and charitable event run by the organization PROMISE. I am dying to attend not just because Tim Gunn is the emcee or that numerous fashion connoisseurs are listed on the invitation, rather I am inspired by this event because it brings numerous people together (many whom I admire) for a worthy cause. The event is called A Beautiful Promise and is a fundraiser for the Center for Attention and Learning Disorders at Lenox Hill Hospital. It is a fashion must featuring some of the biggest names in the business while raising awareness and money for an important cause, one that I strongly support. A close family friend is a member of PROMISE and sent me an invitation; however, I will be at school and sadly cannot make it to NYC. But to those interested, the benefit Co-Chairs are Cindy Weber Clearly, the Fashion Director of In Style Magazine, as well as Sasha Iglehart, the Deputy Fashion Director of Glamour Magazine. The Benefit Committee is comprised of Dana Buchman, Tory Burch, Tim Gunn, Nicole Miller, Issac Mizrahi, Sigrid Olsen and many others. Check out http://www.promisethecenter.org/ for more information. Be in style and support this cause!

Watch TV and Be Fabulous

The latest fashion phenomenon was not seen on the runways at New York or Paris Fashion Week. Rather, the newest trend is the emergence of magazine “reality” shows. The hottest series to hit the ranks after The Devil Wears Prada, The Fashionista Diaries, Stylista and Confessions of a Shopaholic is Marie Claire’s Running in Heels. The Hearst publication uses television to highlight the process of producing a magazine, a smart choice to promote Marie Claire given the economy and difficulty for print publications. The show’s advertising tagline is “what really happens at Marie Claire,” but is it all exact? The show focuses on three interns Samantha, Ashley and Talita. They are all trying to prove themselves in the industry by working their way up the fashion ladder. The trio try to impress the Marie Claire staff and ultimately the editor in chief – Joanna Coles. Since I’m seeking a fashion magazine career, this show provides some good exposure, but also has exaggerated moments that offer humor for all viewers. The girls live together which produces drama and are constantly jealous of each other’s assigned tasks. There’s both glamour and stress, fashion shows and errands. Running in Heels depicts the truth about interns at a fashion magazine but don’t forget it’s slightly altered by television.

Peanut Butter & Company

Every time I’m in NYC, the shops and restaurants seem to call out for me to enter. Peanut Butter & Co located on 240 Sullivan Street (between Bleecker & W. 3rd Street) is one of these continuous temptations. This tiny but adorable eatery is a peanut butter lover’s dream! The Elvis sandwich (minus the bacon) is my favorite choice – grilled peanut butter, banana and honey...how can you not be lured in? The meal comes with a bag of chips and a few carrot sticks. Also try nutella or fluffernutter treats. Besides the cute blue and white décor and the peanut butter posters, the food will have you coming back for more or walking away with containers of PB & Co. products. Prepare for a filling but delicious lunch. Also, try snacks like ants on a log – peanut butter & raisins on celery. Whoever said Peanut Butter sandwiches are just for kids hasn't been here. http://www.ilovepeanutbutter.com/

Gimme them Bright Lights, Long Nights

For me, fashion magazines are where it all began. My love for fashion, writing and dream to work for a fashion publication developed when I first got my hands on Teen Vogue during my early adolescent years. Confession: I became addicted ever since. My room is a shrine to cut outs of captivating photo shoots, intriguing feature stories and style trends; I display the pages like artwork in a museum. Call me crazy, but I get two copies of Teen Vogue: one to keep perfectly intact, the other I use for inspiration as I pin words and images on trend boards around my room. My heart starts to pound of excitement each time I see the latest issues of my favorite magazines. I read my favorite fashion websites and blogs religiously – they are the best way to start off my day and I dream about fashion and returning to NYC at night. Needless to say, I am desperately seeking a career in the fashion journalism world and my personal life reflects this.

Although I’ve grown up watching about every fashion magazine related show - The Hills, The Fashionista Diaries, Stylista, The City, Running in Heels – you name it, I see this profession for more than glamour and chic clothes. As an intern for Lucky last summer, my passion to pursue this field expanded and I have developed even bigger ideas for the future. These shows make me realize what I want to do – get to the “top of the [fashion] world,” and I am getting there steadily.

Here are some useful sources/tips for others interested in the same career path:

This Teen Vogue A-Z posting by an intern accurately depicts the industry. I stalk teenvogue.com and this is one of the many intern comments that has inspired me. http://www.teenvogue.com/teamvogue/blogs/intern/2007/04/intern-essentials.html

http://www.stylecaster.com/– one of my new favorite sites!!!! A platform for displaying fashion and individuality. It uses convergence of technology to feature fashion on the web and bring styles to users.

Thesartorialist.blogspot.com - classic photos that show personal style from all around the world. I’m obsessed with the camera. I will be doing street style pictures this summer and this triggers me with excitement.

http://altamiranyc.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-york-city-street-fashion.html - more street looks

http://www.luckymag.com/style/cutegirl/cutegirl_20090309 - This site shows the creative looks of the Lucky mag staff and provides great inspiration ideas.

Mary-Kate & Ashley’s book Influence

Fashion Week: Runway Desserts

With the culmination of Fashion Week, which featured the Fall 2009 collections, I thought it would be relevant to show these delicate treats that reflect the latest runway looks. The expression to “have your cake and eat it too” finally applies. Fashion Week highlights from various designers can be tasted at Bergdorf Goodman’s Café BG everyday from 3-5:30. So if you missed Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, check out the cheat sheet depicted through food.

Want to know what designer’s desserts to expect? Michael Kors' red and blue striped Regatta dress, Chanel's quilted handbag, Christian Louboutin crystal pump and other items from Oscar de la Renta, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Thakoon and Marchesa.

I think these items are adorable, but expect a high demand of fashion connoisseurs already in line or with reservations. But while you wait, you can see these designers’ real looks in person at the fashion fortress, Bergdorf Goodman’s of course.