Fashion Heads Up: Missoni for Target Update pt. 2

     Aside from official kick-off of college football season, here are some of the things that I'm going to be looking forward to in month of September: 

• the premiere of the fifth season Gossip Girl 
• the return of the Rachel Zoe Project on its fourth season 
• new fall shows like the New Girl starring Zooey Deschanel on FOX
• Karl Lagerfeld's Impulse capsule collection for Macy's 
• AND of course,  Missoni for Target! 

Fashion Blog's last update on this grand collaboration (the biggest yet in Target's history!) featured behind the scenes shots of Margherita Missoni shooting the print ads and television commercial for the collection and here's the first look of the finished product that will be coming in your favorite glossy soon! What's more is that the September 2011 issue of Teen Vogue featured some of the pieces that will be in this 400 piece collection in the magazine's 14 Fall Fashion Hit List. The brief cover story on this much anticipated and very affordable collection (most pieces including home decor are under $40, but ranges from $8 - $200 which includes a beach cruiser!) includes a knit dress, ballet flats, and swimsuit pair in that very familiar and signature Missoni Italian zig zag pattern. That's enough teasing already (and I don't know what I'll do as soon as they release the official look book) -- September 13 can't get here soon enough. 

Love, KB

Look Book: Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's

     Sleek ponytails? Sunglasses indoors? Fingerless leather gloves? A collection with lots of black? The styling and designs of this capsule collection for Macy's definitely stays true to Karl Lagerfeld's impeccable taste and aesthetic. Macy's just released the look book to this 45 piece Impulse Collection which features many feminine black dresses, shirts with Lagerfeld silhouettes, and separates! Yes, separates! From tweed-like skirts and shorts, to faux leather jackets and pants, vests, crisp white button up shirts, and even coats, the collection definitely has Karl Lagerfeld's signature design all over it. Being the head designer for famous design houses like Chanel and Fendi, the dress with puff sleeves that's available in black and a rosy pink is definitely my favorite dress in the collection and also the one dress that's very Chanel-esque to me. And despite its dark color palette, Lagerfeld still managed to incorporate little hints of color and prints (in floral!) in the collection, which actually reminds me a lot of his collaboration with H&M. The entire collection is priced between $50-$170, which is expected to be in all Macy's stores nationwide in September, will be available online and in stores as early as August 31! I definitely have my eyes on that rosy pink dress and the white Lagerfeld silhouette tank! Set your calendars ladies, New York Fashion Week is not the only thing we can look forward to in September! Come take a look at the entire look book of the collection! Which pieces are your favorites?

Love, KB

Fashion Blog's 2011 Fall Cravings

1. long sleeve chiffon blouse with a bow neck tie

2. lace shorts 

3. pastel / blush hued boyfriend blazer

4. winter coat adorned with a large bow 

5. mixture of a red garment with a leopard belt 

6. black wedge booties 

7. polka dot stockings

8. bright and colorful denim 

     Fall is arguably my favorite season, especially when I've had about enough of the summer heat. It's also one of my my favorite seasons to shop for, just like how much I love shopping for new bouquets of floral dresses in the spring, I love nothing more than shopping for cozy knits, a new winter coat, and boots for the cold months to come. Oh, and don't get even get me started about how much thrill I get out of smell of new school supplies..

     For this upcoming fall season my current cravings involve a lot of minimalist, but colorful pieces. I'm obsessing over a pastel and blush color palette and still love incorporating my favorite fall detail, bows! As the temperature drops a lot of people gravitate towards a lot of black to reflect their dreary mood, but I believe that color should be incorporated in your wardrobe all year round! For instance, when shopping for new jeans this season, get a pair in a bright red or mint green hue. You'd be surprised how that touch of color can easily update your fall ensembles! And don't stop with just jeans, instead of picking up a black tailored blazer, get one in a soft but colorful hue like carnation blue, blush pink, or perhaps even cream. These colors will look great in contrast to a lot of the dark pieces that we tend to wear in the autumn/winter seasons. Moreover, I'm obsessed over this idea of incorporating small leopard prints in your outfits. I'm usually not a big fan of animal prints, but when worn in small doses, like a skinny belt,  light chiffon scarf, or cardigan, I think it can look pretty chic. Try pairing that small leopard detail with something red. Something about that color and pattern combination that looks incredibly well together. 

     Maybe it's just my catholic school background, but I've never outgrown bows. For a polished and preppy look this upcoming fall season, try using a black bow for a necktie paired with a crisp white button up blouse with poplin or "peter pan" collar. My favorite black winter coat and beret has bows all over it! Something about it is very parisian chic -- I think of Christian Dior whenever I think of autumn/winter wardrobe and bows. Also, instead of limiting lace to just tops and dresses, try high waisted lace shorts worn with a black skinny belt (pair that with a blush hued blazer and cream blouse with a black bow and you've got yourself a go-to fall ensemble!) As for those lovely gams, instead of just plain opaque tights, try one in a polka dot pattern! Or any other fun patterns for that matter. And what's more, if you're going to miss those summer wedges, try an oxford wedge bootie or just simple lace up ones. Play around with these ideas and let me know what you come up with! 

<3 Sending you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils & love, 

KB

Fashion Blog Spotlight: Emma Watson at the 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 2 Premieres

     As the Harry Potter movie franchise comes to an end with the final installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2, premiering on July 15 and breaking many movie premiere record during that opening weekend, Emma Watson says goodbye to Hermoine Granger and in style (of course!) During the UK premiere Emma wore a tulle tiered gray Oscar de la Renta dress and a much more daring Bottega Veneta dress (the same one that Sarah Jessica Parker wore during her August 2011 cover story in Vogue) for the NYC premiere. During a red carpet interview at the New York City premiere, Emma said that she wanted to play it safe for the UK premiere with the Oscar de la Renta number and thought that the much edgier city New York would appreciate the risk by going with the structural Bottega Veneta ensemble -- and complete with gold leaves in her eye make up! As this chapter closes in Miss Watson's life I'm more than sure that we can expect more from this promising actress in cinema and in fashion. So with that I say, Emma -- thanks for the great decade of memorable movies and bringing my favorite book series to life. 

Love, KB