{NYFW 2018}

I had the incredible opportunity of attending NYFW again this year! The coolest part? It was an entirely different experience from the last two years!

If you were following along on my IG stories (my highlight reel is still up on my Insta) then you saw that my two worlds collided. I went to NYC with a carpet company, Mohawk, that I work with at my day job! I work for a large architecture firm in corporate interiors so I've specified their carpets on multiple projects. When I got the invite I could hardly contain my excitement!! NYFW is one of the most incredible things I've ever had the opportunity to experience - the rush and adrenaline from watching a show in person is indescribable. I always get so much inspiration from the colors, textures, and experience the designers create. My coworker, Carissa, and I joined our Mohawk rep, Stacy, for the weekend - a true girl's trip to NYC (we still have a fashion inspiration IG thread going).

The weekend kicked off with happy hour at the new Mohawk showroom. We met other designers from Texas and Boston who were there for the weekend as well and then checked in to our hotel before heading off to dinner.

We were lucky to have snagged a reservation at the exclusive restaurant, The Lobster Club. I wish I had taken photos of everything we ordered and ate because it was easily the most incredible meal I have everrrr divulged in!

We then popped upstairs to The Grill to have a quick night cap (and photoshoot of the retro ladies lounge haha).

Saturday morning was bright and early! We grabbed some coffee/tea and checked in to the VIP lounge at Spring Street Studios. Mohawk had purchased an "experience package" where we could go to shows and also see the set-up and runway from a skybox. It was amazing to be able to see the behind the scenes go on...

But of course the best part was being able to attend the shows!! We sat in the skybox for two and got to be seated for the rest. The adrenaline that you feel with the opening of every show will always be a surreal feeling for me. I can only imagine how the designer feels! They've been working and waiting for this moment for months and it's all over in 10 minutes max! I wanted to soak in every single second and detail... I try not to take too many photos so I can live in the moment (esp since I had forgotten my camera) but I couldn't help but capture some of my favorites with my iPhone - can you blame me?!

Dan Liu //
Red lips, James Bond vibes, sunglasses, feminine silhouettes, classic pumps, and shiny hair.
Colors - blush, yellow, navy, red, and black.

Dion Lee //
Cutouts, mesh, booties, slick hair, transforming fabric as it moves, and monochromatic style.
Colors - black, navy, grey, blush, olive, and red.

Taoray Wang //
Gorgeous wispy hair, deep side parts, subtle skin, feminine suits, sexy lace, and bold red lips.
Colors - red, olive, black, and crisp white.

Son Jung Wan //
Bold blues, sparkles, rosy cheeks, embellishments, slick hair, and glamour.
Colors - Cream, sparkle, blush, blue, turquoise and bright yellow.

One of the coolest and most unique parts about our NYFW day were the interviews we got to partake in. We sat in a cozy room with a fire place or up in our skybox meeting people who had different takes on the fashion world we were surrounded by. I can't imagine not having had Stacy and Carissa there with my to obsess over every little detail and talk about what inspired us the most. We also chatted about how the color palettes were going to inspire us at work - you could say we geeked out a little bit!

Russell James //
This man was such an interesting person. He started off making trash cans for a career and is now a photographer for Victoria's Secret. Russel told stories about shooting for multiple celebrities and magazines. He spoke about empowerment vs exposure in the industry and how he helps people feel comfortable in front of the camera. His book, "Backstage Secrets", is next to him - I spent a long time drooling over every photo. It's easily my new favorite coffee table book!

Senior Talent Managers at IMG Models //
They referenced Karlie Kloss, Taylor Hill, and Ashley Graham as models they've worked with. One of the biggest takeaways was when they said "my customer base wants to book people and personalities. not just looks!" With social media being so huge they want their models to feel approachable and help create a story with the brands they work for.

Christian Cowan //
We chatted briefly with him right after watching his show! He told us the inspiration for his collection and how he decided to turn the batteries from his neon outfits into purses. [Check out photos from his show here.] He also brought his new puppy, Dot, with him! He had to leave quickly because he was off to London to prep for a top secret show!

And as quickly as NYFW started, it was over... but our weekend wasn't! We had a little time before dinner so we headed back to the hotel to change. Then we went to dinner at Black Barn before rushing off to see a Broadway show!

So at this point it began pouring... and the traffic through Times Square was horrendous (I know nobody is surprised). We ended up having to get out of the cab, with no umbrellas, and sprint to the theater. With 10 minutes to doors closing and all of us being in heels (myself in 4" stilettos) it was absolute madness. Spoiler alert: we made it. Only after I ran into the wrong theater because my head was under my jacket trying not to get soaked and I legit had no clue where I was going. I was the last person let in to the theater hahaha #dramatic. We saw Hello, Dolly! with Bernadette Peters and it was everything and more. I can't wait to get back up to NYC to see another show!!! [On my wish list: Anastasia, Frozen, and Wicked]

 

What a Saturday... Sunday morning brought in more rain and a quiet hour in bed reading before we had to pack up. Pretty much the only quiet time we had all weekend! After walking through Grand Central (my first time seeing it!) we grabbed brunch at Lexington Brass and decided to imbibe in a cocktail because we were still on vacation :) I ordered the avocado toast (duh) and was blown away at the flavors. Will definitely be recreating on my own at home. Then we were whisked back to the train station and heading back to DC before we could even realize the weekend was over.

What. A. Weekend. I love how NYFW and NYC are always different each time I visit. I've only been to visit 5 times in my life but I'm excited to get back to explore more and see all my friends that live there (looking at you Mandy)!!

My insta stories from my trip is still up on my Instagram if you want to see more behind the scenes and photos. If you're curious where any of my outfit details are from let me know in the comments below! xoxo

Love Always,

{dagne dover | bucket bag review}

Last month I got this gorgeous Dagne Dover Ava Bucket Bag for New York Fashion Week. I wanted something practical that would look good with everything and I could carry later on. I've always wanted a bag in this shape and loved the two-tone leather. Dagne Dover bags are known for their quality materials and great organizational pockets on the inside - perfect to help keep a girl-on-the-go keep everything in its place and not lose something (hotel key, lipstick, business card, etc.).

I've now carried this bag all over NYC and all over DC! To NYFW and then back home to work. It's held up wonderfully and I love how smart and sophisticated it is paired with a fun, youthful shape! The snaps allow me to open it up if I can't fit something in there and then close it easily to make it more structured. I love the lanyard that hooks to your keys so you never have to dig around. All of the pockets on the center piece make my must-haves right at my finger tips: cell phone, wallet, lipstick, and pen. This is particularly helpful when I'm getting on the bus and have to swipe my metro card because it's right there and then I can slide it back in place when I take my seat (this is a big A+ for a city commuter like me)!

Everything above is what I normally pack in my day-to-day bag. Sunglasses, reading glasses, business cards, lipsticks, perfume (from the Tadashi show!), spot cleaner, gum, etc... Basically, it packs a whole lot in there! I even carried my tennis shoes around during NYFW to change into between shows - I was not about to let all that nasty snow ruin another pair of suede shoes. Ugh. I guess the only thing not pictured are all of my snacks ;) I always have almonds and gummy bears on me. I'm always hungry so it was especially important while running around in NYC to have something quick to munch on if I was headed to a show!

This is my third Dagne Dover purse and I can't recommend it enough! Read my first review here. Do you have a Dagne Dover purse? Let me know if you have any questions - I'm happy to answer them!

Love Always,

{cape dreams}

Photography by Emily Smalling

Cape, old (shop more below) // J.Crew Turtleneck // Black Suede Heels // Julie Vos Bracelet c/o // DL1961 Jeans c/o // Gigi New York Clutch c/o // Miu Miu Sunglasses via Shop Ditto //

Bite Lipstick in "pastille"

This post is a bit more wintery [not every blogger gets to travel to beach vacations haha] but I'm so excited to transition this cape into spring (the fur is removable). It's still cold in the mornings on my walk to work (and home since I normally work late) so a cape is the perfect lightweight accessory. It let's in a breeze but still keeps some warmth in. I'm already envisioning it with cropped pants, a colorful blouse and open-toed heels. I think these 80 degree days we've been having are faaaabulous but it's gonna drop to the 50s in the next week and a cold front is coming through this weekend. I think I can put away this turtleneck now ;) I casually wore it once a week this winter haha.

Three things I'm going to be wearing all season? My turquoise bracelet, this clutch (it has a cross body strap too) and my new sunglasses!! Psst - you can rent these sunglasses from Shop Ditto for $24 a month! Get your first month free with code SOUTHERNANCHORS

SHOP MY LOOK:

SHOP CAPES:
prices shown don't reflect their sale prices!

Love Always,

{NYFW | tips & advice for first timers}

I want to start this post off by telling you something you may not have realized... ANYONE can go to NYFW. I'm serious! Being a blogger doesn't make me special or better than anyone else who loves fashion. If you want to go, then make it happen!!! I've listed some of my tips (lessons learned if you will) and answered a couple of questions that I got. I was able to go with help from my friends so I want to do the same for you. At the end of the day we're all strong women who should support each other, right? :)

Today's post is lengthy so if you're looking for something else check out some outfit posts!

TIPS & TRICKS:

1 // Confidence - I went into planning NYFW scared out of my mind and thinking I wasn't going to go to any shows. I kept pushing my to-do list back because I thought "my numbers aren't high enough" "I don't wear enough designer clothes" "I'm not cool enough" etc. The second I started believing in myself is when things changed. If I had gained this confidence earlier I may have gotten more invites!

2 // Find a Squad - Whether they're like minded people who love fashion, blogger friends, your photographer, or a best friend... you need somebody on your side. While most shows you attend alone having someone to chat with about everything makes life better. Going with my best blog gals was the best experience because there was no competition. We all knew we had to get some photographs in and we knew we weren't all going to be able to attend the same shows. Having very little competition surrounding us made things a lot more relaxed and fun! (and NYFW is really competitive haha...)

Laura, Lauren and Kristyn :)

3 // Reach Out - Like I mentioned before, you can't be scared! Promote yourself! News flash: I'm not a huge blogger and PR companies don't find me everyday. If they do they probably aren't representing Monique Lhuillier or BCBG! :) Do your homework - search for the PR companies online, look up the runway calendar and pick the shows you want to attend. Ask the contact if they represent any smaller shows. Attending the Yigal Azrouel show was so much fun and I had never heard of him before!

4 // Comfortable Shoes - aka FLATS. Booties. Loafers. Tennis shoes. Just pack them - I wish I had.

5 // Extra Phone Charger - Goodness my phone died after every show!!! Probably because I have the oldest iPhone known to the fashion world. My phone charger (and Kristyn's haha) saved me multiple times. Make sure you charge it up along with your phone whenever you have a chance!

6 // Be Social - You'll most likely be attending shows alone. Don't be afraid to say hi to someone (or ask them to take an instagram for you)!

7 // Drink Water, Eat Snacks, Rest Up - and repeat.

8 // Timeliness - Arrive early if you're standing room (so you can be seated) and if you're seated still arrive on time so you don't get locked out. If you have a seat assignment still arrive on time so you can potentially be moved forward. Plus, it's just polite. Fashionably late was totally coined during NYFW... and it gave me a mild anxiety attack.

9 // Public Transportation - because Ubers and taxis are freaking expensive. Just ask my bank account.

10 // Attend Events - Not just shows and presentations! This is your best chance to connect with new brands and companies. Plus, it's a great chance to get your hair and makeup touched up.

11 // Layer Up - It's freezing and the windchill makes it worse. Don't be afraid to rock a cute beanie, bright red gloves or a fur stole over a leather jacket. Photographers are always snapping street style! This is also your prime opportunity to accessorize to the nines. Renting a designer handbag made me feel a lot more confident walking in with a simple coat!

12 // Location, location, location - Try to find a hotel that is central and close to the shows. I would recommend splurging a little bit if you're there for an extended period. You want to be comfortable and this will be your safe haven and breath of fresh air! (We decided to save on the hotel but I think we paid for it in transportation costs.)

13 // Take a Break - planning lunch and blocking out an afternoon to sit and talk with my girls made me relax and enjoy myself a lot more.

14 // Plan Your Outfits - This will take an additional level of stress off everything because you'll know what to wear every day and night!

15 // SHARE - On instagram, facebook, twitter, snapchat, etc. Brands may see what you're tweeting about and it's a great way to get involved with other people attending the shows! Bonus points: when you ask for invites to shows the following year you can mention how great it was to attend an attach a blog recap or instagram you shared. That's advertising and helps everyone out!


YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How do you get invited to shows/presentations/showrooms?
Like I mentioned before - Reach out to brands and do the work beforehand. Lots of companies list a press contact on their website (I also searched LinkedIn). Don't be afraid to email multiple people asking about invitations to shows. For PR companies ask them about a specific show and let them know how long you will be in New York, they may send you invites to other shows/presentations that the represent. I started reaching out about a month in advance for the bigger shows and continued emailing for the next four weeks. The bigger brands have more intimate shows which mean less invites so try to make your pitch early. I kept reaching out to smaller brands up to a week before we left. I also reached out to my contacts (companies I had worked with in the past) and asked if they were hosting any events, wanted to meet up for a drink, or if they were opening their showroom to guests. This was a great way to fill the day in between shows and see some new products being released for spring along with continuing awesome relationships.

What do you do if you didn't hear back about an invite?
Don't give up - follow up a week later and check in with the contact you found. If you still don't hear back again send an email the day before. Just be sure to keep it short and sweet - they may have just had someone back out of their ticket and be able to give it to you. I got my ticket to the Monique Lhuillier show the morning of!

What if you don't get invited to any shows?
Reach out to your contacts about showroom visits or ask to grab lunch/coffee/drinks. If you don't have any contacts then reach out to brands that you want to work with. The worst that can happen is they say no - at least they will have checked out your blog and you'll be on their radar.  Email local bloggers about meeting up, too! It's a wonderful opportunity to network and get advice.

What do you do when you get denied?
Thank them for responding to you and ask for media images after the show. It's a great way to keep the conversation going and if a last minute ticket pops up they may pass it along!

How do I find out about events?
Utilize your network - ask blogger friends, email your contacts, put your feelers out!!

What do you wear? Do you have to wear the designer?
Wear whatever best represents YOUR style. You want to put your best face forward and showcase your brand and blog. Be true to yourself and don't be afraid to try something new. Fashion Week is the best place to go out on a limb and shake things up a bit! Make sure you're comfortable and that you can walk in your shoes. You absolutely do NOT have to wear the designer... If I could have afforded some of the clothes then yes, I absolutely would have! But not all of the designs fit with my style - always stay true to yourself! Don't ever feel like to fit in that you have to wear designer clothes. That's not the case at all!! Mixing high and low end was one of the biggest things I noticed on the street.

Did you see my recaps? Day 1, Day 2 and Days 3 + 4
Plus my two looks that I shot while there with Rent The Runway and South Moon Under


Do you have any more questions? Leave them in the comments below!

Love Always,