Showing at Atelier

Today we have another trip report from Marguerite Swope, designer and owner of Ivy Reed who's writing of her experiences showing at Atelier. By the way, Atelier is based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. And people say there's no fashion industry here. Thanks Marguerite (also a fellow New Mexican)!

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The Atelier Designers Show is a hotel show in New York (Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square), and I showed in it for the first time just this past 4th -6th of May. These are my experiences pre-show, during the show, and post-show.

I first applied for the February show. There are several steps to getting accepted into Atelier. The first step is to fill in the contact form on the website, and then they contact you. If you have a website, they look at that before they contact you. They liked what they saw on my website and encouraged my application. In the application you have to list other designers you hang with in stores and other shows you’ve been in. I’m not sure the weight these have in the decision, but I was confident about this part of my application.

The next step -if they like what they see so far- is to send a sample box. I made it this far and sent a box of samples. I was surprised not to be accepted, but they wrote a very thoughtful and helpful rejection and told me they wanted to keep my application on file because they knew my line was young and they thought I could be a fit later. So, I called and asked if I could walk the February show.

i came, i saw, i oystered

...and I'm still in awe.
It's been a busier weekend than I had anticipated, but please check back in the next day or two for NYC.

Update: et voila!

I'm on a rough-edged ruffle high...

(1 and 2)

wild wild west

I'm in Vancouver, Seattle and Portland this week. See you soon x

Bright is Alright

Yesterday, dear readers, your truly bravely stumbled out of her apartment on my pair of 5" neon green Alice + Olivia for Payless slingback platforms (There they are at right. I paid full price and now they're on sale - curses!). I hadn't worn them before, you see, and it stopped raining for about 10 minutes, so I eagerly slipped them on for some errand running I had to accomplish.

Everyone was staring, not only because I was 6'5" in them (no kidding!), but because the sheer retina-burning brightness of the shoes certainly stood out from the black boots and sensible brown flats that everyone else seemed to be wearing. I received compliments from a 9-year-old girl and an 80-year-old man. Kinda creepy, but flattering nonetheless.

Maybe it's because I'm a child of the eighties, but I still have a certain weakness for neon colors. Where I used to wear two neon t-shirts, though, and roll up the sleeves so that the color underneath could be seen, now I'll just accessorize with a pair of shoes or some strategically place piece of jewelry. I still think these bright colors can be fashionable and they bring back a touch of my youth, minus the legwarmers and black Reebok hightops.

If shoes are your thing (and if they aren't they should be - my goodness!), it's easy to find a brightly colored pair that's appropriate for a variety of occasions. I know I'm going to sound like your mom when I say this, but Aerosoles makes really comfortable shoes that are - yes - stylish. They're not all about those yucky elastic slip-ons anymore.

I think the pair to the left, called "Picnic" are a great pair of vibrantly colored slingbacks that are perfect for a casual Friday, a Saturday morning brunch, or a Sunday evening soirée. They come in a variety of colors, but I absolutely love this orange faux-leather option. Paired with khaki, olive green, or just basic white, they're sure to make a statement. Plus they're on sale for $59.25. Plus they come in sizes 5 1/2 through 12. Done.

If you'd rather wear your brightness on your arm, then go for R.J. Graziano's "Bright Idea" bangles, which are available from - of all places - the Home Shopping Network! I didn't even know HSN sold stuff like that. Probably it's a good thing that I don't get that station; I'd never turn it off!

Anyway, about the bangles... They're acrylic and have this translucent thing going on, which I love. I'd pair two together. I especially like the combination of purple and yellow, worn with a brown dress maybe. It sounds a little out there, but try and you'll see. With something this fabulous, you can keep the rest of the jewelry to a minimum. And at $27.95 each, they're certainly not cheap, so let them be the focus of your outfit!

Now guys, don't think I've forgotten about you. I don't recommend any neon man-jewelry, or even shoes, really. (Can neon, patent-leather tennis shoes please go away for a while? Please?) Guys have it a little easier, actually. If you want to wear neon, I say go all the way and pick up a tee or two from American Apparel's Highlighter series.

Seriously, just go for it. Throw on a pair of dark wash jeans, some Converse Jack Purcell's and you're out the door. This is especially relevant if you're looking to pick up chicks. Why? Because everyone will be asking about your shirt. I'm not in the business of giving dating advice here, dear readers, but trust me on this one. No guy in a neon tee shirt will go unnoticed for too long. On the other hand, however, if you're heading out for a job interview, it's probably best to stay away from such colors. Just sayin'...

Ahhh...I'm feeling younger already, just thinking about picking up a few neon-hued pieces for summer. I think I'll keep the bright green on my feet, though, and not around my face. That color seems best reserved for those of a deeper complexion. I, on the other hand, tend to look a little seasick. But vibrant orange, shining yellow, hot pink - these are my friends. I shall wear them well.

Goodwill’s fashion blog provides detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to fashion shoppers. The facts and opinions shared present readers with entertaining, exciting and value based information on vintage and contemporary fashion and shopping trends.

The "W.E.I.O." Challenge

Well folks, expect to see a lot more photographic eye-candy and hopefully more interesting post matter in the near future because I've had an epiphany. While sitting in the bathtub the other day, an idea so grand that I was nearly inclined to look for a light bulb popping on above my noggin struck me. What is said idea, you ask? Allow me to elaborate:

I have a lot of clothes. As often as I go through my plethora of wearables and try to weed out some of the lesser worn articles, I still can't help but remark that I have managed to collect, for lack of a better word, quite a collection. Even worse, I still don't feel like I have enough. Sad, but true.

Worse than that even, is the fact that nine times out of ten, I take forever and a day to get ready to go anywhere. Why, you ask? Because I can't find a thing to wear. Much to my chagrin (and even more so to Dean's), on those days I usually end up putting on the same old tried and true t-shirt and jeans. Bor-ing. (Not to mention I always make a mess of the rejected outfits in the process.) So I have devised a plan to put an end to this endlessly annoying habit. Without further ado:

The "Wear Everything I Own" Challenge (W.E.I.O.)

Yes ladies and gents, I'm going to attempt to wear every article of clothing I own. (Not at the same time sillies.) Never again will I be able to say "Oh, I like that, but I've never worn it/rarely wear it."

Basically, the purpose of the challenge is to:

• force me to incorporate articles of clothing that I never/rarely wear into an outfit I like.
• help me to be a little more creative and bold with my ensembles.
• break me of my indecisiveness when getting dressed.
• motivate me to appreciate and utilize what I already have, instead of constantly wishing I had more.

The rules and guidelines of my challenge:

1. Make a list of all articles of clothing. This includes:
• every pair of pants.
• every top.
• every dress.
• every skirt.
• every pair of shoes.
• every piece of jewelery.
• all miscellaneous accessories (tights, leggings, scarves, hats, etc).

2. Each day, create a new outfit incorporating a new article of clothing, then check off said article of clothing on the list. Basic items, like tights, basic tees, and other accessories can be used more than once, but not excessively. The point of the challenge is to break away from the habit of wearing "favorites" all the time.

3. Most importantly, do not take more than one hour to get dressed and ready to walk out the door. And have a good attitude about it as well. The words "I look like crap" shall not escape my lips!

4. Take a picture of the daily ensemble to post.

Finally, it would be spectacular to have others join me in my quest! If you're interested in joining in on the W.E.I.O. challenge, grab a badge, and repost this if you'd like! I'd love to share your pictures, as well as mine, as we delve excitedly into fun project!





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T3’s Ticket to Fabulous Honeymoon Hair!

Calling all Brides-to-be! T3's got your ticket to fabulous hair! Beach getaways bring on more than romance – they bring on frizz! That’s why, T3, designers of professional hair styling tools and products, has teamed up with acclaimed hairstylist, Orlando Pita, to give brides everything needed for Hot Honeymoon Hair.

T3 has a really cool promotion going on called Honeymoon Hair - brides to be enter to win a 2-day trip to New York City, a private hair consultation/makeover with Orlando Pita, T3 tools (a line of pink styling tools) and products, cash and a Sephora shopping spree! Brides can enter at www.honeymoonhair.com! The contest has already begun and ends June 13th. Jump for more tips on fabulous hair from Orlando!

Day 1 of W.E.I.O.

If it weren't for the fact that I really like this outfit and I'm jonesing to get going on the W.E.I.O. challenge, I wouldn't have even bothered to upload this pic. I waited too long to take it and had to do so indoors, hence the bad lighting.

vintage button-up: thrifted
sweater vest: thrifted
skinny jeans: Target
slip-on argyle sneakers: Payless
vinyl bag: thrifted

I bought the sweater vest (or as Dean calls it, my "swest") a few months ago, but until yesterday it was too hot to wear it. It actually ended up being a tad too toasty indoors for the "swest," but I toughed it out. The weather is supposed to be cooling off quite soon, I couldn't be more thrilled. My fall wardrobe has been itching to come out of hiding. :]