BACKSTAGE AT CAROLINA HERRERA FALL 2015 RTW WITH SK-II

Our day starts early. Up at 5:00 am, followed by a quick shower, hair, make up and some serious layering to avoid getting a frost bite on the way to the show. We walk into the backstage area at 7:15 and much to our surprise everything is calm. Few of the models are already here and getting their hair done. We indulge in some pastries and slowly sip our coffees, as the feeling finally returns to our fingers and frost bitten faces. The make up team arrives shortly thereafter and immediately starts prepping models for make up. 

Apparently I am not the only one whose skin didn't exactly react well to New York's harsh temperatures. Models are human too, after all. And since flawless skin is in, the make up team begins with SK-II Facial Treatment Mask, applied to the face for about 15 minutes to replenish moisture, improve texture and make the skin look radiant. 

By 8:00 am, the backstage area is positively buzzing. Most of the models are already here, getting their hair, nails and make up done. The media is setting up for interviews with Carolina Herrera and celebrity attendees, including Ivanka Trump, Dianna Agron and Olivia Palermo and the collection is finally out of the garment bags. I completely lose track of time and spend the next 20 or so minutes marveling at the beautiful dresses and separates. As I examine each and every piece, I struggle to select a favorite simply because they are all beyond gorgeous. Marbled patterns and rich textures, water-inspired hues of blue and grey and of course beautiful structures and tailoring. I am awakened from my dream because it's time for my skincare consultation. 

Since I have been pretty vocal about the fact that my skin turned into a completely dry and flaky mess after spending a few days in New York, I meet with Winnie Lui from SK-II to discuss what can be done to save face. Literally! The good news, the face can be saved! So, I smile happily and I await with eagerness to try a few of Winnie's recommendation, such as SK-II Facial Treatment Essence to gently exfoliate and refine the texture of the skin, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Eye to lighten dark circles ( evidence of a few recent late nights ) and SK-II Facial Treatment Mask because I too want really radiant skin! 

After my consultation, I go back to backstage ( kinda fun to say... back to backstage ) and find absolutely beautiful craziness you expect to see before a show during Fashion Week. Cameras are flashing, interviews are in full swing, models are getting dressed, as make up and hair crew puts final touches on their looks. In a few minutes, the models start lining up and I proceed to the Theater to take my seat. 

What comes next? Well, what comes next is my favorite part! The lights go down and the show begins! In complete contrast to the wonderfully crazy backstage, the show is immaculate and pristine. My beloved Karlie Kloss opens and ends the show, her last dress being my absolute favorite. 

As I exit the Theater, I find myself wishing I could linger backstage a little longer but of course I can't because Tommy Hilfiger is up next and I am already late! Oh, well! That's Fashion Week!:)

Photography by Lydia Hudgens. 

CH by Carolina Herrera pants & Samba Collection Maysa bag, sunglasses c/o | Stella McCartney black Britt shoes | Elodie K rings 

GOING GRAY

Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

I wanted to take this opportunity to say hello and share a few images of the cutest Editor pants I picked up at Express over the weekend. I've actually been shopping for a gray pant suit for some time now, but haven't been able to find exactly what I was looking for. Well, that changed very quickly once I tried this one on:) Aside from the fact that I absolutely adore this shade of gray, the suit jacket is a perfect combination of tailoring and the nonchalant slouchiness I am very fond of. But, I think one of the biggest reasons I fell in love with this suit is the fit of the pants. As I have mentioned before, when it comes to dress pants, I prefer a slightly less tapered fit and longer length. This particular fit insures I can dress them up with heels and a cute clutch or down, paired with flats and a tee. And as far as length is concerned, these ones happen to be just perfect! Long enough so that I can wear them with heels, yet not so long that my shoes are completely covered ( I mean what is the point of wearing cute shoes if no one can see them ). I also really like the way this length works with flats. I am a bit obsessed with cuffing my pants at the moment, as you may have noticed, and I find that rolling the edge twice tends to look the best. Any more than that sometimes looks a bit bulky and less just doesn't create the desired effect. 

Finally, since I am more than a little bit addicted to dress pants and wear them quite a bit, I find that a little stretch can go a long way:) Aside from the fact that it helps to create a more flattering fit, it also ensures that the pants retain their shape throughout the day. In other words, no stretchy knees or other parts which tend to stretch out after sitting down :) 

What about you guys, what do you look for in dress pants? 

EXPRESS 24 inch blazer, pants & wool felt fedora hat { in camel here } | Stuart Weitzman The Leman oxford | Chanel Boy flap bag in perforated leather | Wanderlust & Co chevron double silver ring 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,

Annabelle  

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Good morning and happy Valentine's Day, Everyone! I hope your day is filled with hugs and kisses, red lipstick and dresses, flowers and candy and most importantly love, joy and all the people who mean the world to you! 

Love you guys, always! 
Happy V-Day!!!

H&M A-line dress | Jennifer Behr voilette  via ElodieK | Saint Laurent small Monogramme tassel chain bag | Cesare Paciotti studded pumps - sold out { more favorites here } | Elodie K diamond angel wing earrings & rings 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

EXPLORING SPRING TRENDS WITH PEOPLE STYLEWATCH

Good morning, Everyone! Hope your week is going great so far! 

I am so excited to partner with PEOPLE StyleWatch for their March issue to explore a few of my favorite Spring trends. Though, there are more than a few trends coming in for Spring/Summer 2015 I am absolutely crazy about, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the top 3 on my list, starting with the gorgeous ear cuff I am sporting in this post.

Ear cuff are my weakness, more than just earrings, ear cuffs make a statement and elevate even the simplest of looks to the next level. My favorite way to wear ear cuffs is by pairing them with casual pieces like jeans and leather jackets or tailored ones, like blazers and slacks. Though of course ear cuffs work great with dressier, evening pieces, adding an ear cuff to an everyday look, adds a bit of edge, polish and glamour, making any outfit look more polished and pulled together. 

Next on my list is a Kimono-style trench coat or a duster, if you will. Wear with everything and everywhere kinda piece, a duster is a fantastic topper for any casual look. For example, a pair of denim cut-offs and a simple tee or skinny jeans and an oversized shirt can look much more polished and pulled together layered with a duster. Yet, what I like about dusters the most is their versatility. Unlike other toppers, dusters work equally well with casual and dressy pieces and can look quite sophisticated worn with tailored items like slacks and culottes.

Finally, and I am sure the last item on this list comes as no surprise given that I am a complete shoeaholic, a pair of lace-up Summer booties. Sort of a hybrid between booties and sandals, this marvel of a shoe manages to add a bit of modernity even to the most traditionally feminine of looks. I love to wear these with flirty frocks and skirts, to add  bit f weight to the outfit. Take a fit-and-flare dress for example, paired with a strappy high-heel sandal it looks girly and pretty. Yet, if you add a pair of lace-up booties, the same dress instantly looks much edgier and definitely more modern.

P.S. To see more of my Spring picks, check out the March issue of PEOPLE StyleWatch available this Friday! 

Look 1: IRO PARIS Abrila blazer | J Crew belt | Torn by Ronny Kobo Rivi pants | Dolce & Gabbana Kate patent leather pumps { in black here } | BaubleBar ear cuff { similar options here } 

Look 2: Topshop Belted D-Ring duster { in black here, sleeveless option here } | A.P.C. beige nubuck bucket bag | Nasty Gal denim the ex boyfriend shorts | IRO Saresha sandals { also love this pair in black } | J Crew hat 

Look 3: Cynthia Rowley long sleeve flounce dress { in very pretty blue here } | Truth & Pride silk blazer { similar option here & here } | Marc Jacobs Suede Trouble bag | Schutz sandals { similar here & here } 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle