Yes, It's Bridal Season

June 1st and the brides are freaking out! The bridesmaids, I'm not so worried about. Exhibit A: Catherine, a lucky bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding, and the perfectly fabulous dress and accessories she sourced from the 34th Street district.

Bill Levkoff bridesmaid dress

Shoes and bag by Jacqueline Ferrar at JCPenney

Now I think Catherine's bride-friend deserves a shout-out: Fabulous bridesmaid dress! And perfect accessories, very "on trend" color with the navy.

The crazy thing is, Catherine was sent to a little boutique called Here Comes the Bridesmaid on the fifth floor of 35th Street to buy the dress, where she found a room packed wall to wall with bridesmaids dresses. Who knew?! This I'm going to have to see one day in person. I think Ex-Intern Craig and I need to make up a wedding.The reviews on Yelp are just adding fuel to my desire to visit this bridesmaid mecca.

Here Comes the Bridesmaid 213 West 35th Street, Suite 502
Hours by Appointment: Tue-Thu 11AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 11AM-5PM

JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1 & 2, 33rd Street & 6th Avenue

It's Fall in Stores...

And it's my favorite season. I won't be buying anything for a while, as I can't even bring myself to buy more maternity, although I'm quickly growing out of a lot of my dresses (forget about the shorts and pants). Seems a little ridiculous when one soon will be hibernating and trying to figure out how to cope with a, um, baby, right?

That's why I got these at H&M Mama when I saw them on sale last month (sweats were marked down to $10):

Ok, I didn't buy the leopard caftan, but I was very tempted. It's not H&M Mama, but it was cleverly placed on a shelf in the maternity section. See "bathing suit cover ups." Although if it's a hot October day that could be a perfect little "leaving the hospital" look. Over the sweatpants, of course. And with a turban (but sans cigarette holder, may be too much, yes?).

As I don sweats every day, Fall, my favorite time of the fashion year, will come and go. And there are lots of events going on at Banana Republic this month to help kick it off:

• Visit the 34th Street Banana Republic on August 13 for an "After 5" party. Enjoy live entertainment, some snacks, and get 25% off purchases over $100.
  
• All new fall women's merchandise should be arriving in store this Thursday
• 8/20 - 8/23: Buy a pair of denim and get 30% off your purchase.
• 8/6 - 8/9: Buy 2 markdowns and get 1 free. Ok, this is not going to help free up your closet for fall merch, but why not look around, it's a deal!

More events will be announced later in the month. Meanwhile, enjoy my office mate's recent Banana Republic/Gap/Steve Madden purchases. Here's my favorite shopping quote from Catherine: "I'm cheap and picky." Yes, I'll be taking her shopping on 34th Street soon!

Pants are from Gap, and a great summer look. Just a little wrinkly as we shot them at the end of the workday! And seriously, are all the people I work with photogenic and have gorgeous smiles? Yes.






















I love this Banana Republic print top on Catherine. All her pieces are under $30. The shoes (click to see the peacock print) are Steve Madden Luxe. Perfect with both jeans and dressier pants. Catherine claims she won't wear heels, but we'll see about that (muh-ha-ha!). She is sharing an office with the woman who has a big file cabinet full of heels.





















Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th Street btwn 5th & 6th
Gap Herald Square, 60 W. 34th at 6th Avenue
Steve Madden, 41 W. 34th Street at 6th Avenue

Bare Escentuals Review: The Surprise

Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is on maternity leave. Following is a post from her coworker Katie, who is graciously filling in as guest blogger.

Last week's visit to the 34th Street Bare Escentuals boutique with Kati and Catherine was my first, which is strange since I've been a fan of BE products for a few years. The store is beautiful, well stocked, and well managed. Holiday shoppers take note: the first table as you enter the boutique holds a wonderful selection of gift items, many for less than $30, like the Buxom Babes Lip Polish Duo below.

Because we're giving away a Get Started Kit and The Surprise for the final Fashion Herald BE giveaway of the season (enter now for your chance to win!), I asked the lovely store manager/makeup artist Cynthia to demonstrate some of The Surprise products on me.

What I love about BE makeup is that it doesn't feel heavy on your skin but products like the Secret Radiance powder (only available in The Surprise kit) can transform your complexion from dull to bright in no time at all. All the products combined give you a polished and luminous look that's not too over the top for a day face. Rev up the eyeliner application and add dark mascara for night. Overall, The Surprise is great for creating a really "put together" look and adding subtle shimmer and shine to any skin tone.

Before (left), during (center), and after (right). Click on the "during" photo to zoom in and see the eye shadows and liner in better detail.

As Catherine mentioned, we were not compensated for our reviews or participation in BE giveaways. Anybody can visit the boutique for a demonstration or makeup consultation and I highly suggest giving their products a whirl if you've never tried them before. I also want to encourage everyone to enter the giveaway for a chance to win The Surprise and a BE Get Started Kit, but only because I can't (the one downside to guest blogging for Fashion Herald)!

Bare Escentuals, 44 W. 34th St. between 5th and 6th

Basics at AEO on 34th Street

Today's guest staff post is by Catherine, who stopped by AEO on 34th Street for some T's. Thanks, Catherine!

I'm a simple girl who likes simple things. And I really like simple things that come at reasonable prices, so I was pretty pleased with American Eagle Outfitters' spring offerings.

AE has a nice assortment of super soft, basic tees that beg to be layered. I admit they're nothing ground-breaking, but they're a necessary staple for spring. I paired one (below) with an Oxford shirt. In retrospect, perhaps coral wasn't the best choice for my blinding paleness. Regardless, they are great, thick shirts and come in both solids and gingham.

Left: Tee, on clearance at $6.95. Right: AE Oxford Shirt, on sale for $29.95

They have a huge selection of graphic tees for women, all of which are buy one, get one 1/2 off right now. When you're looking at starter prices of $15-19, that's a great deal.

Graphic Tees, $15.50-$19.50, currently BOGO 1/2 off

I found some sparkle in this collection of beaded tees. There were at least 6-7 different styles to choose from, mostly in white, gray and blue tones. I love this charcoal top with tons of detailing, including studs, beads, and sequins.

Beaded Tees, $29.50

American Eagle Outfitters, 40 W. 34th St. btwn 5th & 6th

Pride and Plumage

Anyone else find the dresses boring at the Oscars last night? Didn't they all look the same? Here's my recession fantasy for next year's awards shows: no one can afford to hire stylists. And then we'd have more wacky color, more imagination, and more entertaining red carpet disasters. And then we'd also not be subjected to Jennifer Garner blathering on about Rachel Zoe. I find it very hard to believe Jennifer can't pick out a gorgeous black dress by herself.

I watched the arrivals, Jon Stewart's monologue (Gaydolf Titler, funny), and Katherine Heigl talking about how nervous she was (no wonder with that hairdo), then switched to the last episode of Pride and Prejudice on PBS. Even though I've seen it three times already and own the DVD, I can't resist Colin Firth giving Jennifer Ehle smoldering looks. And the winner for best sexual chemistry with no sex goes to....(see above couple). Also, the clothes were much more interesting (see Lady Catherine de Bourgh's hats).

From the fall 2008 collections, eye candy with some wow:


Naeem Khan, because if you're going black, please make it interesting. And can you imagine the feathers in a ruffle the next day?










Monique Lhuillier, because rich colors and feathers were all over the runways. Where were they last night?











Yigal Azrouel, because they are perfect, not black and are draped in character.












J. Mendel, you say aubergine, I say purple, which in all its variations was ubiquitous for fall.











Badgley Mischka, because that green would have looked so much better on redhead Rebecca Miller (wife of Daniel Day-Lewis) than those red things on her shoulders. And that last dress is at once sweet and stunning.

"Go a Little Crazy" with Daffy's

Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Catherine who is filling in as guest blogger.

If you've been in Daffy's lately, you may have noticed a model who is layered to the extreme. Stop by the store anytime through December 24th to guess how much her ensemble costs at Daffy's and the total of the manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MRSPs). She's located on the top floor of the 34th Street/Broadway store.

The closest guess of the Daffy's Total Price wins the Grand Prize: a $500 Daffy's shopping spree plus a fabulous NYC weekend for you and three friends including a star-studded evening of limousines, dining, a concert and a luxury hotel stay. Don't worry, you have two chances. If your guess of the Total MRSPs is the most accurate, you'll win the First Prize: a $500 Daffy's shopping spree. And we all know that at Daffy's, $500 goes a long way!

Daffy's, 34th Street & Broadway

The Benefits of Guest Blogging

Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Catherine who is kindly filling in as guest blogger.

Writing guest posts on Fashion Herald during Tricia's maternity leave has had its perks. It gets us out of the office, and we get to stroll around stores sampling everything you see here on the blog. Despite best efforts to look, not buy, there's always the chance of falling in love with something you've tried on. It happens.

This week Katie and I both ended up wearing things we found while scouting 34th Street for Fashion Herald. Katie explored Gap's plaids last week and ended up purchasing a red & black plaid top the next day, and I waited until the sweater I tried on at Banana Republic a few months ago went on sale, then snatched it up.

Thanks for having a baby, Tricia. Without you and Hazel, we may not have made these great new additions to our wardrobes.

Banana Republic, 19 W. 34th Street
Gap, 60 W. 34th Street

Bare Escentuals Giveaway: Week Seven

Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Catherine.

Bare Escentuals is giving away a free bareMinerals Get Started Kit every week here on Fashion Herald! Come back every Friday for another chance to win.

To be entered, leave a comment and tell us what your favorite winter lipwear is. Deadline is the following Monday at noon, when Kati and I will pick a winner from the official wooden Fashion Herald name-drawing bowl. Add an email address (or Twitter) so we can contact you if you win!

Last Call! We still haven't heard from Week 2 winner JessicaCRB or Week 4 winner Robbin. If we don't hear from you via email (fashionherald@urbanmgt.com) or Twitter (@fashionherald) by the end of November, some other lucky readers will reap the benefits.

Bare Escentuals, 44 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th

Bare Escentuals Giveaway Winners: Week Eight

Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Catherine.

Daphney of This Fashionista's Diary has won a bareMinerals Get Started Kit from last Friday's Bare Escentuals giveaway! Send us your mailing address and shade preference (check website for shade info).

In the spirit of giving, we have a surprise gift for two dedicated readers. Because Robbin and JessicaCRB never got back to us, we'd like to reward our friends (and repeated contest enterers) Lizzie of mode princesse and Sal of Already Pretty with BE Get Started Kits. Thanks for your comments!

Bare Escentuals Friends & Family discounts start this Thursday for 20% off everything. We'll post coupons as soon as we have them.

Update: Friends & Family sale runs December 3-6, but readers can start one day early! Enter BLOGFRIENDS at checkout to see your 20% savings starting Wednesday.

If you didn't win, try again this weekend for another chance to win.* Contest will be up again this Friday, courtesy of Bare Escentuals and their lovely 34th Street boutique.

Bare Escentuals, 44 W. 34th St. between 5th & 6th

*previous BE Get Started Kit winners on Fashion Herald can not re-enter.

Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2015: Stella Nolasco and Carmen Marc Valvo

Stella Nolasco 

Stella Nolasco incorporated the vibrant colors and geometric patterns of Puerto Rico into her collection, using the blues of the ocean and sky and the orange and yellows of tropical flowers. She beautifully details her gowns with delicate beading, lace, and sequins. While two-piece gowns and cropped looks aren't new innovations, she adds her own spin by joining them together with an embroidered pattern.

      

      

      

All photos from Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Carmen Marc Valvo

Notable designer to celebrities such as Beyonce and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Carmen Marc Valvo celebrated the 25th anniversary of his line on Day Two of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. He excels in woman's evening wear: feminine, flattering, and all in the fit-and-flare style reminiscent of 1950's silhouettes. His floral patterns were flirty and bright, while his solids were chic and elegant with mesh cutouts. But how to rejuvenate the label in celebration of its 25th year? The designer surprised us all with the first inclusion of menswear in his collection.  His logic was simple: he already makes his own shirts and pants, so why not make them for others? From sheer shirts with loud prints or cutouts, to tiny swimming trunks and a dazzling metallic tuxedo jacket, we welcome the addition and hope to see more. 

      

      

            

      

      

      

All photos from  WWD