StyleFixx Giveaway!

Greetings, lovely readers. Do I have a fun giveaway for you!

StyleFixx Girls Night Out is coming to Boston next week, and they've graciously offered free tickets to Ip & Audrey readers! I have two to give away, one for you and a friend. Read on for more details!

What is StyleFixx? A fabulous nightlife and shopping event featuring the latest in fashion, beauty and accessories. In addition to great shopping from emerging Boston designers, guests indulge in complimentary cocktails and FREE spa treatments... Not to mention the legendary StyleFixx Swag Bags filled with goodies!Boston's event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6th and Thursday, October 7th at the Boston Center for the Arts (5pm-10pm). I'll totally be there to cover the activities, so perhaps we'll bump into each other if you attend!

If you win, your name (and your friend's) will be put on the VIP list, so you will pick up your access pass and swag bag at the VIP booth. To enter, simply leave me a comment! Winner will be chosen at random by midnight on Sunday, October 3rd.

Good luck!

Monday morning musings

I need more caffeine to fuel this busy day! Does anyone else have a serious case of the Mondays? Blech.

Some Ip & Audrey news... I was recently featured as a "Fashionista of the Day" over at A Country Girl Blogs. Please check it out!

And CSN Stores has contacted me to do a product review. I'm excited because it's my first time doing one on this blog, and CSN Stores has lots of cool sites to choose from... you can find everything from shoes and handbags to end tables and decorations! Ip & Audrey has hosted giveaways with CSN Stores in the past, and I'm very excited to be working with this fabulous company once more. :)

So check back for that fun stuff... I've got more runway reviews coming up this week. I hope you're having a lovely Monday...

Last Day of Summer

I'm a fall baby all the way, but it still breaks my heart a little bit to see summer go. Once again, I find myself daydreaming about all the summery fun I wanted to partake in (lazy beach days, amusement park and county fair visits, late night stargazing) but didn't because I was simply too busy. I did manage to squeeze in a couple of mini-breaks here and there, but haven't taken a proper vacation in YEARS. So, next year, it's my goal to visit someplace entirely new to me... and squeeze in more beach time, too.

As much as I'll miss summer, I can't mope for long; I'm really looking forward to cooler temps so I can layer again! It was nice to get to wear tights one day last week. Though autumn officially started last night, it's still in the seventies and eighties in the Boston area, so I'm just going to embrace it while it lasts! Guess I'll order my pumpkin spice latte iced for a few more days...



This ensemble is one of my summer work favorites. It came about because I wanted to be cool and comfortable, but of course still stylish... and this brushstroke-printed chiffon skirt gives off that seventies vibe that I love. Pairing it with my favorite white tee is just a comfy no-brainer. These gladiator sandals are cool, but not too comfortable... the stiletto heel doesn't exactly distribute weight evenly. But since I have a desk job, I'm pretty okay with that. The only major problem occurs when you're sinking in the grass! Oops...

Another slight problem... this white tee is hard to photograph! I guess that's why you don't see a lot of white on television; I've heard that it's difficult to film. I leaned against this red trailer just to get some contrast! Look at what happens in direct sunlight...



Whoa! Baby, your future's so bright, you need... a really high SPF? ;)

So I decided to try black and white to see if I could create enough contrast and darken that bright white a little bit. Well, not so much. But I like how everything else turned out...





Then I gave up on black and white entirely and tried blue! Because why not? Blue is a great shade for fall, right?



The blue still follows my seventies theme... my parents' yearbook photos from back then were tinted blue. I wonder why that is? No matter the reason, I always thought it looked groovy. Okay, so that's more of a sixties term. Whatever. :P

With that, I bid summer au revoir!

So, I interrupted my runway reviews for this outfit post. Fashion Week coverage will resume next time! So do check back for more. :)

$200 Fall Fashion Giveaway!

What would you say to winning $200 to spend on the hottest eco-friendly fashions? Our friends at Jute & Jackfruit are kindly offering not one, but two chances to win $100 worth of merchandise - one contest through their blog, another on Facebook - and, yes, you can enter both! Click here for more details on how to win.

The contest ends on September 31, 2010, so hurry and enter! Then get ready to fill your closet with the latest in fall eco-fashion.

She Works Hard for the Money: Milly by Michelle Smith RTW Spring 2011

Working mom Michelle Smith offers up bright, breezy fashions that add a jolt to the busy gal's wardrobe, proving that mixing prints and daring color combos can be a snap. Any "prints-ess" in the making will love Milly's latest sixties-esque collection, inspired by the global, eccentric wardrobe of heiress Peggy Guggenheim (who has been quite the muse to many designers in recent years). These cheery clothes will show you're quite the mix-master, too, whether you live and work uptown, downtown or all around the globe. See: fashion-forward geometric shapes grounded in rich hues, fitted skirts and sheaths and envy-inducing coats. I'm swooning over the ladylike fits paired with boho-tribal touches. These are Gossip Girl-worthy clothes that Serena or Blair would fight to wear!


Check back for more Fashion Week fun!


*All images: NYMag.com

Nobody Does it Better: Oscar de la Renta RTW Spring 2011

Kicking off my catch-up on New York Fashion Week, what better designer to start with than legendary Oscar de la Renta? For Spring 2011, we were treated to a sentimental journey back to sweet fifties and swinging sixties style. The Mad Men look has been all the rage on many a runway over the past few seasons, but as any Academy Award-winner or First Lady could tell you, Oscar has that special touch that turns a trend into a classic. I am an unabashed fan; a vintage Oscar de la Renta handbag (in a shade of green that's making quite the comeback this year!) is the first designer piece I ever laid eyes on, and happily purchased. See how Oscar transforms his ladies from nine-to-fivers to those who lunch to the least reluctant debutantes to ever descend a grand staircase. Observe:

The quintessential working girl shift, in a happy, poppy hue.

These florals are so sweet, they veer on grandma-chic! But prim and proper polish is a welcome change from more disheveled styles. The coordinating bag is the icing on a very frothy cake!

Michelle Obama must have this look on speed-dial, and who could blame her? Send to the White House, stat!

A modern, directional suit look that's not at all stiff. It says "edgy, creative type," not "worker drone."

Yet another take on tweedy suits, this with a refreshing pop of mint. Ahh.

I love how Oscar's gone a little Grecian, while still staying true to the sixties sartorial spirit. A screen goddess from Hollywood's Golden Age would have rocked this floaty frock.

Can't you see this ensemble strutting down city streets come spring (not by itself, of course!)? Rain or shine, crisp white and green is a sublimely Irish-looking standout... Ides of March be darned!

Ruffles, lace, and a beautiful bow... it's easy to get carried away by such gorgeous details, but as always, Oscar shows a practiced restraint. It's almost too lovely for words.

Saving the best for last? Yet another screen siren gown that is truly Oscar-worthy.

What do you think? All hits? Any misses? Sound off in the comments! And be sure to check back as I continue to spotlight Fashion Week designers! Up next: designs that are decidedly sixties-influenced (before we make our way to all the seventies-inspired fashions). Any guesses on which designer it could be?


*All photos: NYMag.com

It Might as Well Be Spring: Fashion Week Favorites

It's hard to believe it, but New York Fashion Week has already come and gone! Ah... seems like only yesterday we were watching and reviewing the Fall 2010 season... and now we're getting ready to wear those clothes. That's part of the interesting dichotomy of Fashion Week; reviewing the next season while looking to last season to outfit the current one! Whew! This comes across as bizarre to anyone but fashion enthusiasts, and I don't blame them. Still, there are plenty of trends we can glean from the Spring 2011 runways; and because everything old is new again, we can start sporting some springy looks now, before the weather turns cold!

Much like the Fall '10 runways, the '70s spirit is alive and well in Spring '11. Plenty of designers were inspired by this decade: see Diane von Furstenberg's Grecian goddess/disco muses à la Xanadu, Anna Sui's paisley and plaid-infused trip to the prairie (with plenty of denim, crochet and fringe along for the ride), or Badgley Mischka's nod to Mia Farrow's Daisy in The Great Gatsby. Perhaps the most literal '70s interpretation was seen at Marc Jacobs, where big, curly hair, wide-brimmed floppy hats and retro color combos (purple and orange, anyone?) were in full swing.

Badgley Mischka Spring 2011

I think this is a refreshing change from last year's '80s obsession. While the "Me Decade" makes for a fun fashion reference, '70s style is less about excess, more laid-back and relaxed. The natural look is highly encouraged, so we can embrace our real hair textures and use makeup only to highlight our best features. On the Spring runways, taupe-y pinks and nudes looked fresh and youthful. Loose braids and buns were wrapped in ribbon and chiffon for a girlish and innocent - yet still sophisticated - style. Fun, easy looks that get you out the door and on with life seem to be the name of the game... and I love it!

I, for one, am glad that '70s style is here to stay... I never could say goodbye to my flares, chiffon and clogs! A couple of other old favorites that just keep coming back? Extreme lengths, in the form of maxi dresses and rompers. Last summer I bought one romper from Forever 21, cautiously, not wanting to invest too much in a trendy piece that I figured would be here today, gone tomorrow. But rompers were all over the runway again, so cheers, jumper fans! The one-piece look will still be chic well into next season. And many fashion insiders predict that longer skirt lengths will continue to carry into fall... so we can be warm, comfy and ladylike, all at the same time! I plan to take my purple knit maxi into colder months by layering a black turtleneck and tights underneath... it would look killer with my clogs! Add a knit cap, dark floral scarf and tough faux leather jacket (and maybe some fingerless gloves, to really drive home the "woho/hobo-chic"), and I'm ready for an apple-picking autumn day.

But we're talking about just one of the many trends seen on the runways this week. One could go crazy with fashion week coverage, scouring every show, pouring over every image, racking one's brain for industry-approved syntax to concoct the perfect runway review... but not me! Instead, this season I'm playing favorites. I only went straight to my favorite designers, and will post only my favorite looks here. These are the clothes I'd die to own, the styles I long to live in... And I would love to hear your thoughts and find out what all your favorites are.

Stay tuned for photo-heavy posts, full speed ahead!

Fashion, Photography, Cultcha! Getting Arty at the MFA

These pictures were taken in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts a few weeks ago, before I left for New York. My thirteen-year-old cousin Paige was visiting then, like she does every summer. Among our usual shopping and Starbucks trips, we decided to take in a little cultcha (er, culture) at the MFA. Though we went mainly for the Richard Avedon fashion photography exhibit, we also marveled over ancient Egyptian artifacts (those Egyptians sure knew how to accessorize!), 18th century French royal furniture (I could get used to those accommodations!), and my favorite paintings by Monet and Renoir. Still, the fashion snaps from the sixties - so mod, pop art and insanely stylish, featuring the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy, Brigitte Bardot and Veruschka - were definitely the highlight for me...



















My camera's battery died before I got a chance to snap all the pictures that I wanted to, so I switched over to my mom's camera. (Hers had the date imprinting setting on and, had I noticed this annoyance, I would've turned it off!) Paige took over the lens for the rest of the day; I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with how her shots turned out. Maybe there's a fashion photog career in her future?



My dress is from Charlotte Russe (and, yes, Paige helped me pick it out!). Lately I've been pleasantly surprised by their selection... if you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have told you that I found their clothes too "teenage" for my tastes. But no longer! This black floral number is exactly the kind of ensemble I'd love to traipse around Paris in... perfect for a day of gazing at beautiful artwork and enjoying Summer's end.



Some people say that Boston resembles Paris in the spring and summer. I wish I could say that I agree! So I will simply have to visit Paris and compare notes... all in the name of research, of course.

Living Vicariously

So. Maybe my blogging hiatus is more of a mini-break. I haven't really decided yet. All I know is that I think of myself as a free spirited kind of blogger, anyway. I am lazy when it comes to doing outfit posts or even discussing the latest and greatest fashion... kind of lame, since this is a "fashion" blog, after all. But just bear with me; I'll get there, I promise. :)

So here's a quick personal update: I'm back from my brief stay in NY (though, of course, I'm longing to go back soon) which means back to work, full-time. I'm also trying to squeeze in time for freelance writing projects and studying for grad school entrance exams. I haven't exactly decided where I'm applying yet, nor have I picked a focus of study (there are two degrees I'd like to pursue, so I may just go crazy and try both), but the fact is that I've got to at least take the entrance tests soon... otherwise, come next fall, I won't be going anywhere! Major cramming (I mean, er, tightly scheduled, highly dedicated weeks of serious study) is in my immediate future.

Still, I hope, no matter what, to always have time for some blogging, even if it's just a little something. :) I would still love to do some Fashion Week posts in the near future, even though my last-minute vacation change caused me to miss the events in person (I was invited to the IFB Evolving Influence Fashion Blogger Conference and to a few shows... so bummed I couldn't make it!). But I have been keeping up with NYFW coverage on my favorite blogs and tracking all of my favorite designers, so naturally I'll have to weigh in with my own opinions and interpretations here.

In the meantime, I'll live vicariously through all of you lucky ducks who are attending Fashion Week events... I'm not jealous! Promise. ;)

And on Monday night, I definitely lived vicariously through Gossip Girls Serena and Blair as they flounced around Paris, wearing couture and snacking on macarons. C'est la vie!

Raise your hand if you caught Gossip Girl's season four premiere? Everything, from the intricately-chosen ensembles to cinematic shots of the City of Love, was divine. I simply must visit France myself. Someday...

Bisou...

Erin

As always, images are linked to their sources.

Hiatus much?

Blogging friends, I've temporarily taken leave of all my internet duties. Well, not completely, because obviously I am on the internet right now. But I've stolen a few moments, found some WiFi, and thought I would just drop in to let you know that I'm dropping out... for a few weeks, anyway. It's not unsual for me to fall off the earth for a few weeks at a time and cease all blog activity, but I thought I should at least give a head's up this time around. :)

I had planned to take vacation and hang out in New York all next week. And yes, fellow fashion lovers, I did schedule my time off to coincide with NY Fashion Week. Just couldn't help myself. But you know what they say about the best laid plans, and so forth. My family needed me to come out a little bit sooner than planned... so I'm on vacation now, a week ahead of schedule. Only it's not all fun and games, because my grandpa was in the hospital, and I need to stick around to make sure my grandparents are doing fine and dandy... be their errand girl, and such. I'll be back "home" in New England next week.

But generally, I need to take a little bloggy break to sort out some work and personal stuff. Be assured that I will return bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in a few weeks, with new pictures, fun outfits to share, my new "cute or creepy" series, a new East Coast blogger roundup (email me at ipandaudrey@gmail.com if you want your blog included!), annnd.... a brand new look. While I'm away, my amazing, artsy friend Anita in Chicago is going to get crafty with the site's graphic design. Can't wait to see what she creates!

So thanks for your patience... I promise to return soon!

XOXO!

E