Houston Fashion Week Day Deux

As if Day One wasn't enough excitement, we had such a fabulous time going back for round two at Audi Houston Fashion Week!  The line up for this evening included David Peck and Texas's own Elaine Turner who has a flagship store in Houston, Lauren Bush, and Lela Rose.  I have to say hands down, Lela Rose was my absolute favorite.  I loved her edgier, funky designs and the way she mixed black and white stripes with other prints. It was so incredibly and completely divine.

I decided to get all sparkly and dressed up with my new sequins mini, but I kept it all in check with my classic white button down and red patent leather pumps.  I wanted to try a side swept look with my hair to show off my earrings. These are the earrings that I actually wore to my wedding.  What can I say, I have been re-wearing my wedding attire this week!

(All photography by Shan Renee)

BeBe button down shirt, Express sequins mini, Jessica Simpson red patent leather pumps, VS clutch, Tiffany ring, wedding ring and earrings

These are the earrings I wore to my wedding, I heart them still!

I also spotted Holly Montag from The Hills. We kept missing her so I didn't get to get a picture which I really wanted because I really did love that show!

After spotting Holly while waiting in the press crowd, we noticed a huge commotion going on in the front row of the seating for the show.  After much investigating, we realized it was George Bush Sr. and his lovely wife, Barbara. I was so excited to see the couple out supporting Houston Fashion Week!  They seemed to look like they were having a splendid time.

First up when the show started was David Peck and Elaine Turner.  They got much of their inspiration for their prints from traveling the world and seeing the different colors especially in the coffee beans.  It was really incredible to see their vision come out in their designs.  The pieces were absolutely gorgeous and the colors were bright and fresh.

Next up was Lauren Bush.  I felt like her styles were pretty simple and a bit repetitive at times, but still beautiful and chic.  I adored the head wraps!

Last but not least was Lela Rose.  I was so intrigued and inspired by her beautiful designs.  I have been looking back through the photos of these magnificent pieces all evening!

We will be covering tomorrow's nights events as well which will include Houston's own Chloe Dao so don't forget to check back!

XX

Houston Fashion Week Day One

Day One of Houston Fashion Week is over, but I cannot tell you how incredibly, marvelous, and fabulous this event was! My cousin (Shan) is also covering the photography for the event for the online publication San Jose Fashion Week so we have been having the time of our lives working together!  We were so lucky to push, shove and make our way down to the very end of the runway and set up shop for those prime photos that she always produces.  We got meet other photographers as well as other fashion bloggers.  I finally got to meet up with a fellow fashion blogger from Houston that I hadn't met yet in person, and she was divine!  The designs were absolutely stunning and it was hard for us to pick just a few for you guys, but there will be more to come! I am so excited to go back tonight to see Texas's very own Elaine Turner.  Check back for more later! Love you all!

(All photography by Shan Renee)

Tucker for Target top, Topshop leather shorts, F21 fishnets, Jones New York shooties, Free People Necklace

I was so excited to get a picture with Houston's own designer and Project Runway winner, Chloe Dao.

Cesar Galindo opened the show with the ribbon cutting and his exquisite designs.

Second up was Lyn Devon with her classic and chic designs.  Her Spring/Summer collection was extremely Audrey Hepburn-esque.  Ballet flats were the staple shoe in this showcase.

Last up was Christian Siriano who showcased the most marvelous pieces for Spring/Summer 2011.  The finale piece was a magnificent evening gown with layers and layers of tulle.  It was most heavenly!

This dress was absolutely stunning! I thought it was the best piece of the entire evening.

I finally got to meet my new blogger friend, Monica in person! We have been emailing back and forth for a couple of months now, so it was nice to finally get to meet her sweet face!  Also, go check out her blog if you get a chance at Classy & Fabulous!

Houston Fashion Week Kickoff Party

Last night we attended the Houston Fashion Week Kickoff party that was held at the chic venue called Eight.  We arrived fashionably late, of course, but the party was just getting started at that point.  We mingled with all the other fashion lovers, fashion designers, and even shaked our tooshies on the dance floor a little bit!  I can't wait to get to the shows tonight and take it all in!

Nordstrom Dress, F21 fishnet hose, Nine West shoes, Ann Taylor bag, Express earrings

Utilitarian Style Wedding Dress meets the Romantics

I was so crazy excited to upload my wedding photo to my new Chictopia account! After uploading the pictures, I was shocked by all the sweet and complimentary comments I got from my new Chictopians.  I had to share with you my mini feature on Pink Champagne's page!

I was so flattered that I just had to share it with my lovelies! Click HERE to see the feature!

We (me and my photographer/cousin) are on our way to the kickoff party for Houston Fashion Week. I cannot believe that it is FINALLY arrived! We will be covering the event every night this week so don't forget to check back for the fabulous updates throughout the week!

XX

LL 

My Wedding Dress...4 years after

It has been a little over three years since the last time I have even seen my wedding dress. It has been shoved away in one of our extra bedroom closets. Recently, I wrote a Fall runway review on J. Crew (if you want to read it, click HERE!) for the magazine I am currently writing for, San Jose Fashion Week.  When I was reviewing the Fall collection online, I came across the most fascinating photo that revealed a beautiful wedding dress from their bridal collection. The creative thing was they had assembled military items with the dress to create an incredible look! I was so inspired I immediately sent the picture to my cousin (also my photographer) and told her we had to do this with my wedding dress!  She was completely on board, and so this past weekend when we went to hang out in Austin, she decided we were going to rent a canoe and take my wedding dress out onto Barton Springs!  I could not have been more elated!  So, these are the photos we created and I cannot tell you how excited I was to wear my wedding dress again! (and fit in it)

Brickhouse Bridal wedding dress, Steve Madden boots, H&M arm warmers and belt, Old Navy Jacket

Just Add a Little Hair and Add a Little There

About a year ago, I was taught by one of my magnificent friends in Cosmetology school how to make extensions pretty much from scratch!  All we did was go buy a bag of hair, sew for a couple of hours and boom, you had longer hair! I have changed my hair color quite a few times since then so I didn't have anymore extensions left that matched. Naturally I decided to pick up some more and get to work!  Here is how you can add a little length to your mane.

First, get a package of hair that is not already cut or sewn together.

Here are the rest of tools you will need for this project: sewing needle, thread, scissors, and hair clips

Well, after I got started I realized the color extensions I bought were too coppery colored to match mine exactly. So, back to the drawing board! I had to put a red permanent color on to get them to match my hair exactly. (this is very important!)

After I rinsed them out, I measured each piece where I wanted it around my head. I have 4 pieces in all.  I have a bottom piece that is near the nape, a piece that goes almost around my whole head, then two side pieces to fill in the side view.  After much sewing, clipping and texturizing, here they are!

YAY! Now I can clip them in when I want them and take them out when I don't!!

Zebras and Sequins

I bought this incredible sequins top on Etsy last year to wear out for my husband's 30th birthday.  I was also planning on taking this little doozy with me to NYC where I know it would be appreciated! I have worn it since on super special occasions usually receiving "You are weird" looks from my fellow Houstonians, but oh well, they will get over it! We found this really neat sign in the middle of downtown that lights up, and well you know how girls like shiny things so we were intrigued! OF course we took pictures with it!

Vintage Sequins Top, Express skirt, Nine West stilettos