I was thrilled to climb up to the rooftop deck of San Francisco’s Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for a private preview of the Alyssa Nicole Fall 2014 Collection earlier this month.
What I love most about designer Alyssa Casares’s designs is that she creates each collection with real women in mind, and each collection contains everything that you could need for that season.
Her Fall/Winter 2014 collection was filled with rich fabrics like wool and Jacquard, shown in varying shades of silver and navy blue. And true to form – Everything a San Francisco lady could need for Fall in the Bay Area was present.
Chic fitted dresses for the office to be paired with tight and pumps. Flirty mini dresses for weekends that will be perfect with booties & a blazer. Bold ladylike outerwear that will look posh with everything from jeans to a little black dress.
Fun, hippie chic maxi dresses for weekend getaways and music festival season. And the sweetest blue separates for mixing and matching, all of which will look great with pieces already in your closet!
There have been so many fun events, chances to dress up, and couldn’t-be-passed-up shopping opportunities this Summer and I’ve had fun documenting them for you in the MCLV Styleseries.
Today I wanted to do a little recap for those of you who may have missed out on some of the colorful Summer fashion I’ve been sharing.
And for those of you, like me, who think that accessories can be the best part of a look – Here are some handbag and jewelry close-ups to get you inspired for a Summer filled with fun fashion.
My relationship with the current track pant trend is sort of like a high school relationship – It’s complicated.
On paper – I hate the idea. I like formality and classic styles so a trend that makes pants that could feasibly be worn to the gym appropriate street-wear isn’t necessarily ideal in my mind. That being said, I’ve found myself thoroughly enjoying some of the styles that I’ve seen put together lately.
My conclusion? I like them on other people, when worn right, but I will probably never head to the store expressly to buy myself a pair. It’s just not my style. But if this is your style than you’re in luck, I rounded up some great examples of just how to pull off this trend!
Enjoy the pictures my loves!
{Jada Pinkett Smith is white-hot in an all white look and track pants with a neon tuxedo stripe.}
{You don’t have to feel obligated to try this trend out in basic colors or fabrics – Get creative like Camille Over The Rainbow and try out a leather pair!}
{Want to make your look Spring-ready? Try layering florals like The Fashion Guitar for a fun, eclectic look.}
{Black & white plus a pop of color is a color scheme that can easily be applied to this track pant trend – On The Racks does it write in a Letterman sweater and aqua pumps.}
{If you’re not a heel girl but want to add a feminine touch to your track pants than wedges are a great option. A graphic tee is another great way to add your own personal spin to a look.}
Where do you stand on track pants? Will you be giving this trend a try?
Partially, I’m sure, due to my Irish background and the fact that my brother’s name is Patrick. And partially due to the fact that, after Halloween, this is the second most fun holiday all year. Like with Halloween you get to act like a kid {even The Huffington Post agrees that this is a good idea}, eat great food, and thoroughly enjoy yourself. Though obviously my celebrations have changed over the years – I went from a “Kiss Me I’m Irish” pin when I was 9 to Jameson shots until 2am when I was 23. Never a good idea on a Wednesday, let me tell you. But however I’ve celebrated over the years, it’s always been a fun, memorable celebration.
To help get you in the mood and prove that anyone can love St. Patty’s Day, here are some fun ways to celebrate – From fashion to try to recipes that’ll make you drool there’s a little something for everyone.
Food:
Sweet tooth? Cupcakes & Cashmere has everything you could possibly want with her amazing Homemade Shamrock Shake.
Finding fabulous new sites to enjoy is a favorite pastime of mine and I wanted to share my latest blog crush – Veblen High. I mean, seriously, with a description like this, how was I not going to become addicted?
WTF is a Veblen high? It’s a provoked state of intoxicating, stimulating, euphoria (similar to the effects of drugs/alcohol/sex) induced by the purchase of Veblen goods. Symptoms include high- feelings of relaxation, enchantment, pride, self-worth, dominance and a public display of social status.
Colorful and bold are always fun options when it comes to accessories but sometimes an outfit just screams for a neutral hued bag. Not sure where to start? Bag Snob of course – Best Beige Clutches: Caught Blushing.
If the idea of cropped pants and shorts is too shocking for you right now why not try out the boyfriend jean trend? Luckily for those of us new to this style one of my favorite bloggers, Lovely by Lucy, tackled this topic recently – How To Wear Boyfriend Jeans: Part 5.
Starting to get bored with your cold-weather looks as you’re yearning for Spring weather? Me too. But don’t despair! Stylist extraordinaire, Hilary Rushford of Dean Street Society, is here to help us stay in the mood with My Chic Winter Style Secret.
If you’re in the mood for a fun DIY project and you’re loving all the embellished pieces this Spring you should tackle Cupcakes & Cashmere’s DIY: Embellished Sunglasses ASAP! 🙂
Health & Nutrition:
My go-to pick me up in the mornings isn’t coffee or tea, it’s a green smoothie. Not only are they energizing, delicious, and filling, they’re also the ultimate recovery meal. Not sure where to start? Check out Green Thickie’s The Ultimate Guide to Green Smoothies.
When Spring rolls around I’m always thrilled by the bright new produce at the Farmers Market, but that doesn’t mean I stop craving comfort food! If you’re in the same boat try this killer appetizer and you’ll be packing nutrients & fresh ingredients into your delicious snack – “Cheezy” Roasted Tomatoes.
Gyms can be pretty pricey these days – Last week I saw a CrossFit gym that was charging clients over $200 a month! If you, and your pocketbook, aren’t up for those kinds of prices than read this Women’s Health piece – Fun (and Cheap!) New Workouts.
If you love to bake like I do finding healthier alternatives and recipes that aren’t laden with calories & fat can be challenging. Choosing vegan, gluten-free, and/or paleo-friendly recipes is my go-to move these days. Not sure what that means? The No Meat Athlete breaks it down in his Veganize and Healthify Your Baking with These 6 Steps.
Green juice is another healthy, refreshing choice when it comes to beverages. But don’t worry if you don’t have a juicer or if your city isn’t filled with juice shops {aw, I miss NYC}. Choosing Raw has the answer – How to Make Green Juice Using a Vitamix or Blender.
I was thrilled to climb up to the rooftop deck of San Francisco’s Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for a private preview of the Alyssa Nicole Fall 2014 Collection earlier this month.
