Yay!! It’s that time of year again – time for Project Runway Season 8. I’ve missed Tim and Heidi, and of course, the fashion drama. And thank goodness, they are back in New York, right? Did not like PR in LA-la land.

Check out more on My Lifetime Project Runway.

0 comments permalink |  2:28 PM |  7.29.2010 | 

Super fun H&M opening yesterday at Scottsdale Fashion Square! A great turn-out of eager shoppers and lots of energy from the new store’s employees had the East Wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square jumpin’ with energy, music, dancing and cheers from the store’s new employees! Inside, I love the new looks for women, men and children with hundreds of items under $15.  I think this store has a great energy and concept and will be my favorite local H&M soon. Here’s my favorite pictures from the grand opening event…

The first shoppers waiting in line

The other line of eager shoppers.

Inside the new store…

The rolled up pant leg trend for men. So GQ.

0 comments permalink |  7:50 AM |  7.23.2010 | 

THE HISTORY 101:

Ted Baker, the esteemed British apparel company known for its classic men’s shirts, opened their English Garden-inspired doors at Scottsdale Fashion Square this month. From the gorgeous English tea party setting with an Arizona-twist, to the beautifully tailored men’s suits to the luxurious and modern silk women’s dresses to the marketing materials, everything about this brand is spot on.

Initially, Ted Baker specialized in brightly colored men’s shirts and offered dry cleaning with every shirt that they sold. Now, the brand, described as “classic with an English twist,” has carefully grown into women’s fashion, accessories and home, with only the fashion lines currently offered in the United States.

The Scottsdale store is only the 12th location in the US – how lucky are we!! Each store is uniquely designed for each city. For our Scottsdale store, Ted Baker melds a dainty English garden setting complete with bird-watching, tea cups and a flower garden cash wrap, with a modern Arizona wilderness of abstract cacti light fixtures, window treatments and more subtle Southwest details. The interior of the store itself is just as fabulous and carefully designed as the beautiful clothes and accessories.

The beautiful Joni of Ted Baker modeling the latest looks.

THE FASHION 101:

For women, the pieces are a perfect blend of vibrant colors, bold prints, flirty ruffles and edginess, with the amazing tailoring the English are known for. For once, rather than liking one or two pieces by any given designer, I LOVED EVERYTHING!! I could have picked up anything blindfolded and loved it. The maxi-dresses, the blazers and the beautiful butterfly prints were among my favorites.

Batsea Top - Gorgeous Butterfly Print, tedbaker.com

The piece I took home - the Tary Tunic. Love, love it! tedbaker.com

My packed dressing room!

For men, the gorgeous suits and menswear pieces are “typically Ted with a contrast” and offers a fresh perspective on the popular Phoenician male dress code including beautiful French cuffed button down shirts, laser engraved cuff links and luxurious suit linings. The Kierw suit is a favorite among celebrities and if I may suggest to our local men, you should own one suit and a Ted Baker is an excellent choice.

The accessories are so beautiful. Glamorous. And so lovely in bright colors, patent leathers and of course, with bold details.

The Ted Baker Sonita Purse

I was the first purchase ever at Ted Baker London Scottsdale!! Fun!!

THE FINAL EXAM:

I am 100% in love with Ted Baker. What can I say? I’m a sucker for the English accents throughout the classic pieces that I have always loved. Ted’s comfortable like the men (designers) I have loved before, yet fresh, exotic and mesmerizing.

Visit Ted Baker London at Scottsdale Fashion Square – Lower Level, East Wing. Currently, Ted Baker is not offered online in the United States, but a beautiful, tall birdie told me they are currently working on a US shopping site! I’ll let you know when that’s available. But if you can’t get to the store, click through their gorgeous website www.tedbaker.com, it may be one of my favorite fashion sites yet.

Cheers! xo

0 comments permalink |  1:49 PM |  7.15.2010 | 

Outside the new Michael Kors at Kierland Commons in the silk Zip Dress and Berkley Sandals.

Hello. My name is Kira. And I’m a Michael Kors-a-holic. (You: Hi Kira.)

It started off innocently, with an amazing silver handbag when the lifestyle store opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square a few years back. Now, however, allow me to confess that I am officially obsessed with the top American designer.

Of kors, not only do I buy into the brand of well-made, well-priced clothing and accessories, I buy into the lifestyle. The advertisements depicting the gorgeous model Carmen Kass as a glamorous, modern, yet everyday goddess mesmerize my blue-green eyes and entice my little heart into believing I can be so glamorous each and every day.

MK 2010 Cruise Collection Ad featuring Carmen Kass and Noah Mills. SoChic.com

Of kors, there are so many style books out there that warn never to wear one designer from hair-to-heels. In fact, during Tim Gunn’s recent visit to Scottsdale where he hosted a fashion show filled with style tips and the latest looks for summer, the fabulous Mr. Gunn announced something along the lines of, “You wouldn’t wear one designer from head-to-toe!” My heart stopped at this. Wait…what??!! Why not?! I remember feeling mortified as I took a quick inventory of my outfit: Michael Kors flats, Michael Kors dress, Michael Kors watch, Michael Kors handbag, Michael Kors oversized sunglasses perched on my head. Ummmm…sorry Tim. Obviously, I dare to disagree.

The Miami Aviators

Of kors, I don’t think it’s really the designer from head-to-toe that can be fashionably problematic (as I hope Tim would agree too). It’s the logo from head-to-toe and worse, many flashy logos fighting for advertising real estate on one’s body that deems one’s look problematic. My suggestion is to keep the logos at minimum and let the fit, flattery and you feeling confident in what you’re wearing do the talking.

Of kors, how can I not shop MK when the lovely Scottsdale store manager, Brandi, and her fab staff treat me like a princess each and every time I step into the heavenly store. Though, I consider myself an equal opportunity shopper, willing to shop the range of stores and designers, for me, there’s nothing like stepping into a Michael Kors and stepping out a Carmen Kass.

Black fringe dress. Black flats. All by MK. Photos by Evan Romine. xo

2 comments permalink |  9:36 PM |  7.5.2010 |