Paris Fashion Week - Day 3

[Pants: Vintage] [Top: BCBG] [Shoes: Pour La Victoire] [Purse: Celine] [Jewelry: Vintage, Omega, Tiffanys]

In running around all day, I totally forgot to take a picture of my get-up.  I had to break out my grandma's sparkly polk dots pants again.  These were snapped late into the night on our way home from, as a friend puts it, a 'serendipitous' night.  I was supposed to meet a friend of a friend, a girl I had never met before.  When I got to the party she invited me to, it turns out that: 1.) we grew up just miles from each other in California AND 2.) I had already seen her earlier that day!   I walked into the showroom where she working (where they were kind enough to give me a look around, even though not open to the public). It was the one open store down an un-traversed street that I have never taken.  I can't get over the coincidence upon coincidence.

I have been snapping so many pictures of amazingly dressed people and the shows, and trying to go through them, but oi! there is a lot - more to come on that!

Paris Fashion Week - Day 2, or is it 3?

[Dress: Thakoon for Target] [Belt: Vintage] [Purse: Celine] [Shoes: Minelli] [Sunnies: Tom Ford]

Just a quick pick of my outfit yesterday in the Tuileries, in the hot, noon-day sun.  It was an incredible day.  I met another blogger, someone who I have followed excitedly, and walked right up to her and introduced myself.  She was beyond nice, making me love her blog that much more.  Kindness goes so far in my books.

On another note, summer has returned to Paris!  It started back up the day Fashion Week began, and I have a feeling it will end the day Fashion Week closes up shop.  Paris is like the spoiled younger sibling, getting everything it wants, all the time (in absolutely no way referring to my own wonderful sis! :).  xxx

Paris Fashion Week Begins

[Skirt: H&M] [Shirt: Old Navy!] [Shoes: Eden] [Purse: Foley & Corinna] [Jewelry: Vintage (lots of it), Omega, Tiffany's]

Oh Paris, your highs are so high, and your lows are so low.  But today was definitely a high.  Paris Fashion Week started today, and I put on my big girl boots (no pun intended) and got out there.  This is my first Fashion Week, so I am new to the etiquette, the process, the people and the tricks of the trade.  I figured, camera in hand and a big smile on my face (which is rare accessory outside of a show - so I saw today), I would give it a good effort, and that effort paid off!  Both shows I saw were eye-opening - Moon Young Hee and Aganovick (I will post my pics soon!).  I made new friends (in person and through the blog), and reinforced that it never hurts giving if your best effort. 

Then, to top off an incredible afternoon, I saw a Mozart concert in Church Madeleine.  It was spectacular and far from the modern runway I had just left.  Yes, today was one of those highest highs.

More to come!

Paris Planning Shoes

[Dress: Free People] [Cardigan: ] [Shoes: Minelli] [Purse: Vintage Coach] [Hat: Callanan] [Sunnies: Tom Ford]

These shoes are my Paris planning shoes.  I bought them last September when we came to Paris on vacation, and had no idea that one year later, we would be living here.  I distinctly remember sipping wine in a cafe with Julian, and both of us saying, "I could live here, could you live here?"  The box of new, shiny shoes was sitting right there with me in the cafe.  Then a few months ago, when Julian first told me about the Paris opportunity, I was wearing these babies again!  That is why they are my Paris planning shoes.  I swear on my shoes the above is true.  So now I feel like I have license to buy more shoes - good things seem to happen.

Today I am off to join in the Paris Fashion Week fun, it is the first day, wish me luck!

Savoring Summer

[Dress: Pinko 1988] [Skirt: Max Mara] [Belt: J. Crew] [Shoes: Frye] [Sunnies: Tom Ford] [Purse: Vintage Coach] [Jewelry: Vintage, Omega, Own Design (thank you Julian!), Banana Republic]

Such an incredible, perfect weekend {sigh}.  For the past three years, I have been in law school, and in law school, there is always a mean little birdie on your shoulder whispering in you ear, "You shouldn't have another glass, you have X, Y and Z, and then A, B and C, to do tomorrow."  Not that I haven't had many great days and nights during school, but a carefree day of meandering from cafe to bar, and then to another bar, and another, was rare upon rare.  I think a major part of how wonderful the day was, apart from the warmth of summer coming back again, was that we set out from the house with no plans. From Saturday's wine, cocktails, champagne and more wine, surprisingly, Sunday turned out to be just as wonderful, but in a less alcohol involved way.  I think we are settling into something good here.

Even in the humidity of the summer, Parisian's wear scarves.  I took a note from their book and wore a rich orange (and slightly too warm) Zara scarf, which will fit in even better for Fall.  The skirt is actually my skirt from my senior prom!  Not that I care about my age, but prom did not happen yesterday for me.  I love when I buy/invest in a beautiful item and so many good memories happen in them.  But that logic can lead down a dangerous road.

Power Date

[Blazer: Vintage, Kasper & Co.] [Shirt and Skirt: Forever 21] [Shoes: Calvin Klein] [Purse: Vintage] [Jewelry: Vintage, BR, Kate Spade, 

This was my grandma's blazer, and it fits me quite well, which makes me wonder what it looked like on her tiny, 5'4 frame.  Plus, it has shoulder pads!  I want to think she wore it when she meant business, which was pretty much all the time. 

I, on the other hand, wore it for a date with my fiance and friends, along with one of my favorite skirts.  While on the short side, I love the navy blue hue and odd texture.  We went to a funky Thai joint in the Marais, where the owner was more than a character.  He was tossing the kitchen's produce around the tables, pretending to smack the bum of my friend and keeping everyone's wine glass full, even the glasses his construction workers hovering around the customer's tables (they apparently are working on his new restaurant around the corner).  He also said he had lived in San Francisco in the 80's, and made a face and a gesture that could only mean he had such a good time that he slept through the 90's.

Holding Off the Cold

[Dress worn as a shirt: Target] [Blouse: J.Crew] [Skirt: Zara] [Belt: J.Crew] [Shoes: Bass] [Purse: Ralph Lauren]

I walk about 40 minutes to my French classes every day and pass through very fashionable neighborhoods and streets, it is Paris after all.  I got quite a few quizzical stares today in this bright orange skirt.  I have been here a little more than a month, but I am going to go ahead and make a generalization.  Parisian's are quite reserved in their use of color, only a dash here and there.   I know 'The Art of Chic' is part of the French grade school curriculum, but most ladies I pass are dressed in shades of black, brown, dark browns and blues (while still looking immaculate and effortless).  I do not think points in school were ever given for their generous use of hot pink or orange.  On the other hand, maybe I shouldn't come to their country expecting them to break out the brights, those shades are reserved for royal sitting rooms and Napoleon's ballroom.  Maybe the bold colors I am looking for are at Versailles.

  

Flash of Plaid

[Shirt: Forever 21] [Skirt: Vintage Diane Von Furstenberg] [Belt: Men's Vintage] [Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell] [Purse: Foley & Corinna] [Sunnies: Tom Ford] [Jewelry: J.Crew, Omega, Tiffanys, Vintage, picked up on travels] [Headband: Nordstroms]

J'adore this skirt!  In preparation for the move to Paris, I decided to start buying vintage goods on eBay, a lot of them - and this one nearly didn't make the boat, or plane, or however my shipping got here.  So happy it did!

On another note, my French lessons end this week and hopefully the moving process will come to an end then too, that means I will have free time, something that has been so few and far in between in the past three years.  I cannot wait to read a good book, sit in a cafe far after my espresso has been tossed back, and to find Paris by getting lost.  Is there any shop, patisserie, fromagerie I shouldn't miss (I know there are lots!)?

Royalty

 [Cardigan: J. Crew] [Shirt: ] [Skirt: J. Crew] [Belt: Vintage] [Shoes: Frye] [Purse: Celine] 

We are in the process of moving and making our apartment: (1) livable, (2) a home.  It is frustrating and fun, and there are definite highs and lows, but all in stride.  I keep pinching myself and saying, "Paris."

Our apartment overlooks a hustling and bustling street in the center of Paris.  I love the windows open so that I can hear the numerous clacking of heels as people rush to work, and the clinging of silverware and glasses as people sip espresso in the cafes below.  I secretly people watch from my window, which is apparently the official Parisian sport.

From Jour to Nuit

Daytime Look: [Vest: Free People] [Shirt: Mossimo, Target] [Pants: Vintage] [Shoes: Pour La Victoire] [ Belt: Nordstroms]

Nighttime Look:  [Jacket: Vintage] [Shoes: Joie] [Beaded Bag: Vintage]

We escaped to the Loire Valley this weekend, and I wore my absolute favorite pants.  I am pretty sure my grandma made them as there is no tag, she was an incredible seamstress and they are so her style - sparkly pink and gold polk-dots.  There is nothing better!

We went to an incredible chateau with my fiance's work (I know, it is a good place to work) and I could have stayed for much longer than the weekend.  I didn't want to pack too much, so I brought just enough to change this outfit from a day of travel to a night of champagne and elaborate eating.  I felt like Julia Roberts out of Pretty Woman - 4 forks, 3 spoons, 4 glasses!  I was fine with the glass part though, that just meant different glasses of wine all at the same time.  No lessons required for those.

Keep 'em High

[Sweater: J. Crew] [Scarf: Vintage] [Shorts: Forever 21] [Socks: Jessica Simpson] [Boots: Coach] [Lipstick: Revlon Hot Coral]

For the next two days, we actually have TWO apartments in Paris!  I don't think we will ever be able to say that again :) Today I am going to our new place and unpacking the 500 lbs. of goods that we shipped over, and by goods, I mean clothes.  It sounded like a good idea at the time, but now there are things I wish I had, like my good knives and pots and pans.  But one pan equalled two pairs of shoes, in all honesty, maybe one pair of shoes.  I made hard decisions.  As a friend told me, these are all 'champagne problems'.  They definitely are, and I am so grateful to have them.

Thank You Links a la Mode

Wow - this is my first time being featured on Links a la Mode.  So excited and grateful!

Inspired by IFB, FNO & NYFW!

Edited by: Taylor Davies

The week of New York Fashion Week is one of the busiest of the entire year for the industry. It’s also one of the most inspiring for the IFB community. This week’s Links a la Mode features helpful posts about blogging that remind us of topics from our IFB Conference, as well as fun round ups of Fashion’s Night Out, NYFW shows, and designer inspiration.

The IFB Weekly Roundup: LINKS À LA MODE: September 15th

• Boyish Chic: FNO: A Night To Remember
• Cantabrigian: New York Fashion Week: Collections That Caught My Eye
• Cosmolawlitan: Fashion’s Night Out: A Business Review
• Designer Purushu: Inspired from Stella?
• Divergent Musings: On Why I Don’t Want to be a Professional Blogger
• Faery: Paris Diaries - Photographer’s block and Fashion’s Night Out
• Fashezine: Vogue Fashion Night
• Girl Loves Color: Color on the Runway: Peter Som
• I’m Too Fancy: FNO Street Style @ Missoni For Target
• January Sublime: London FNO & United Nude Party
• La Perle: Fashion’s Night Out - Paris!
• Mis Papelicos: Autumn Recap on Building a Better Blog
• Miss Viki: MG Vienna Fashion Week ‘11
• Over50Feeling40: Fashion’s Night Out in SA: Part 2... Visually Appealing
• Style Confessions: How To Afford Real Designer Clothing (On A Non-Designer Budget)
• Style. Love. Repeat.: Style: Blogger’s Night Out
• The Artful Shopper: Master Class with Rachel Zoe
• The Chic Sheet: Parabal Gurung 2012
• The Style Circuit: Ra'mon Lawrence S/S 2012 Presentation
• This Is A Yes: DVF Spring 2012

SPONSOR:
Satchel Bags at Shopbop: Roccatella, See by Chloe, Tory Burch Bags, Jerome Dreyfuss, Motif 56, Tory Burch Wallets, LeSportsac, DVF bags, Alexander Wang, Rachel Zoe, Juicy handbags.



PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Finally, a Home!

[Cords: Gap] [T-Shirt & Cardigan: Old Navy] [Scarf: UO] [Shoes: Vera Wang] [Clutch: Celine] [Sunglasses: Tom Ford] [Jewlery: Vintage, Omega, Tiffanys, Own Design :)]

We signed a lease yesterday morning - right behind this imposing and haunting church. Tres difficile et tres frustrant!  We have definitely experienced some cultural differences, ones that have led to much stress and worry.  It is hard to stand up for yourself when you do not know the language.  Coming out of law school, you have so much feisty confidence to stand your ground, but all that is lost when I falter to ask a simply question or order a cafe americano in French.

On a happier note, I bought a new-to-me, vintage Celine clutch to continue my love affair with their purses.  I feel like it has seen a lot of fun in this city and I hope to continue to show it a good time ;) 

A Trip For Champagne

[Tank Vest: Target] [Tank: J.Crew] [Gold Belt: Vintage] [Flower: Zara] [ Shoes: Bass] [Sunglasses: Tom Ford] [Purse: Celine] [Jewelry: Omega, Own Design, Vintage, Tiffany's]

We went to Reims, the capital of the Champagne region, on Saturday by high speed train from Paris.  Bam! Out of the City!  Our first stop was Taittinger.  It was astounding to be in their cellars, so cool and far underground, that were made in the 4th century by Monks.  The 4th Century - wrap your mind around that. While in awe at the amount of champagne bottles (3 million in that cellar alone) and the process, I was also a little bit nervous being down there.  But then I drank a glass of champagne and magically, I didn't think about it again.  

The big amber ring was given to me by my grandma. She picked it up in South America, and one day, while hunting in her jewelry drawer, I plopped it on my finger.  I wore it around her house and when she saw it on my finger, she graciously gave it to me.  Actually, she quickly grabbed my hand with her bright red nails, inspected it on my finger and said, "I got that in South America.  It looks good on your long fingers, you can have it."  She collected jewelry like a child collects jelly beans, all a little too bright and dispensable.  Just the way I like it.