Pattern Drafting- 3 Classes Left

I feel like I am losing my mind. For the past month, I feel like I have not slowed down one bit what with wedding plans, house buying and of course... duh duh duh, Pattern Drafting. Pattern Drafting, while super helpful in the art of fashion design, is the most time consuming and brain busting class that I have taken since Financial Accounting... and boy, did I hate Financial Accounting.

It's not that I don't understand what I am doing at this point. I had my "A Ha!" moment a few weeks ago. It's that the sheer amount of work that is assigned to us, in a night program, is extremely overwhelming. I understand why we need it, I really do but that doesn't mean that 14 design changes at a time don't make me want to pull my hair out. In class last night, I noted that most people looked haggard. I'm not kidding. I think that everyone is in the same boat as me. We all but threw our design notebooks at the professor when she was collecting them. Take it, I don't ever want to see it again!! Well, until I want to know what my grade is...

I have 3 classes left before the end of the semester. In the next 3 weeks, I will need to design a full scale pattern, complete with design changes and then actually make the garment! Part of me is really concerned about time and my sanity but there is another part of me that is like, bring it on. This is what it's about, right? Challenging myself? I certainly did that as I look at my ever growing "to do" list but I am living my life and at the end of the day isn't this what I want to be doing? Yes... but that doesn't mean I can't whine a little ;-)... speaking of wine, I need a little.

Today I Fancy [Guest Post]

*Hi guys! I recently have been asking for help from my fellow bloggers to get me through the through the home stretch to this dang wedding and also to inject a little different sass into Prim and Propah. Here is the second one from my girl Gabi, check it!

Hi everyone!  My name is Gabriella, but you can call me Gabi for short. I blog over on Kneadle & Bread about fashion, baking, photography, and all other kinds of awesome things.  I have to say that I am absolutely thrilled to be blogging for Amanda today while she’s busy preparing to get married!  Is everyone else as excited to see these wedding photos as I am?!

Well, to hopefully keep you entertained while she’s away, I thought I would share a “Today I Fancy” post with you.  This is a series I host on K&B where I feature the items I’m “fancying” each week.  This week, it’s Kate Spade.  Do I even need to explain all of the obvious reasons why?  Probably not, but I’m going to anyways.

First of all, look at this color pairing!  How fantastic is this pink/red combination?  Well, otherwise known as “vivid snapdragon” and “maraschino.”  Simply adorable, am I right?  I feel like it was just a few years ago when most women refused to mix and match pink and red, yet here they are, looking as fabulous as ever.

Second, the fit and flare of this Striped Carolyn Dress has me totally crushing on it.  Can one even crush on a piece of clothing?  I’m going to go with a strong yes.  But wait, it gets better.  Aside from having a totally awesome shape, this dress has pockets.  You heard me, pockets.  I have been known to purchase dresses based on their pocket status.  These dresses always get a yes from me.

Next, this bag.  Period.  If you’re looking for a fun tote for fall, this Boutique Striped Small Harmony bag is, without a doubt, calling your name.  The striped bag is available in black and white, but I say be a little daring and try out the pink and red.  Pair it with your favorite black skinnies, wedges, and a classic white oxford.  It’s all about the statement piece, my friends.

How will you work the pink and red trend into your fall wardrobe?

Obsession Alert: Nicholas K Outerwear Fall 2012

Extra, extra, read all about it! Amanda is obsessed with an item of clothing or twenty! The Nicholas K Fall 2012 collection hit the interwebs and now all Mama can think about is how she can finagle the purchase of a coat she doesn't need, 3 months before her wedding. OK, I will stop referring to myself in the 3rd person and just get to the fashion goodness. The Nicholas K Fall 2012 outerwear is badass and now we can buy it for our very own... maybe.

Source

My Fall Colors: Rust, Plum and Emerald

I am hopped up and ready for Fall shopping, aren't you? I have decided that my Fall colors are going to be based around the following: Emerald, Rust and Plum. I love these rich tones that are perfect for the Falling leaves and cooler weather. I am looking to spend my money very wisely this Fall because of the you know what... but I am still itching to pick up some of my fave items in my new fave colors. Check it out.
 

Sofft Manhattan in Emerald Green, Essie Going Incognito Nail Polish, J. Crew Collection Cafe Capri in Jade Jaquard, Sela's Green Crystal Fan Earrings, You and Me Forever Dress in Green, Ann Taylor Exotic Skinny Belt

David Yurman's 2012 Fall Collection, Sneak Peek

I was super excited to get an invite to the David Yurman Fall Collection sneak peek that was held last night at Lux Bond and Green in Wellesley, MA (a thank you to Shauna G). If you follow me on Twitter, I am sure you saw some tweets live from the event and maybe even an Instagram or two. Being that I am just starting to get involved in local events and being Boston social, this was a great opportunity to meet some other fancy Boston area bloggers and also check out some amaze new David Yurman jewelry. And when I say amaze, I mean super amazing. Oh, and there were goodie bags.

My Feelings about Fashion Reviews

I review collections with my eyes. I pour over the looks as they walk down the runway (or more than likely when I view pictures of those looks as they walked down the runway) and make judgements about what details I love, which ones I could leave and then the styling choices that the designer made. I almost always give a designer credit, whilst reviewing in my head, for things I haven't seen before or looks I want to recreate... and after all that, I may read a review of the collection if only to catch details that I might have missed... but if I read a review, I take the risk of that reviewer making me feel like my admiration is wrong.

Photos: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Balmain Fall/Winter 2012, Paris Fashion Week

On March 1st, the new Balmain collection premiered at Paris Fashion Week, and with that premiere came inspiration to me.  The beading and embellishments and velvet, oh my! Creamy neutrals and soft pinks to rich green and blue velvets, ugh, I am pretty smitten. And with the embellishments? This collection has me extremely excited for my beading class coming up in the very near future (DIY, what?). Take a look at what I mean.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Did Betsey Johnson Bring Clueless Back?

Betsey Johnson's Fall/Winter RTW 2012 show debuted last week. It was classic Betsey; fun, fanciful, flirty and a little wild. I have read reviews of her newest collection and everyone is getting pretty much the same vibe: pumped up 60's mod with a futuristic edge. I totally agree with those reviews but you know what I also see? Clueless, early 90's Clueless. Fashion from the movie Clueless (starring a one Miss Alicia Silverstone and the hunkalicious Paul Rudd) has hopped in a time machine and asked Miss Betsey Johnson for another chance.

Jewelry from the Runway: Ben-Amun

This fashion season, I was all about reporting on not necessarily the most covered shows (although I did choose a few of those as well) and was actually surprised that a few reps from jewelry designers contacted me about the shows that they were included in. I did coverage on Corey Lynn Calter, and soon learned that Ben-Amun provided all the jewelry for those looks that I loved so much. I feel bad that I hadn't even tried to do the research, because this jewelry is pretty fantastic.

Thick Gold Bangle, Gold Hinge Cuff, Portofino Gold Ivory Bead Earrings, Molten Gold and Black Earrings, Hammered Gold Necklace

My Top 15 Looks from New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week is over, le sigh, but that does mean that I get to do a roundup of my favorite looks of the whole lot. There were some outlandish fashion choices as well as some simply drool worthy ready to wear stuff. I have to say that I was not disappointed with the copious amount of eye candy, from my favorite designers as well as from designers I was not expecting (or had even heard of).

The following 15 looks are not in any specific order and I love them all for different reasons, so how could I rank them anyway? You won't hear fancy words in my descriptions, just plain how I feel about ma clothes.

Milly Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America, Rodarte Neilson Barnard/Getty Images North America, Badgley Mischka Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

While some might argue that this dress by Milly is not the newest kid on the block, I am in love with the yellow piping that separates the white and black blocks in this dress. Plus, ready to wear in real life? For sure. The Rodarte piece on the the other hand (pun intended) is not so RTW but I just thought this had to be one of the most imaginative looks of the season, hands down. Of all the fur-tastic looks from this season's runways, I have to say that I loved the tailored Badgley and Mischka jacket the most. Plus, I loved the styling.

Prabal Gurung, Ugh Extravagance!

One of my most anticipated shows of the season had to be Prabal Gurungs Fall 2012 line, mostly because he has had me obsessing over Rooney Mara's red carpet looks (see many previous posts on Rooney Mara and how much I heart her) and also Zoë Saldana has been sporting him recently (she sat front row at this show). His clothes have been daring, his prints imaginative and more importantly, the clothes are just plain pleasing to the eye...


Style.com described this collection as "Hell and heaven. Prabal Gurung's Fall collection made that journey, starting off all black, traveling through a blue period, and culminating in a finale of gold and ivory worthy of the pearly gates". I couldn't have put it any better. 

Photos: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Sleek, sexy silhouettes, sheer cutouts and masterful beading were some of my favorite aspects of the line but there were also elements that I was not a huge fan of. Take for instance, his high fashion sweatshirt. Now don't get me wrong, I love me some sweats, but on the runway, this look just threw me off. I know it may not be actual cotton but it looked like a run of the mill Hanes with an applique. Paired with gloves and the shine of the royal blue skirt, I thought this was a miss.

Jason Wu has a Big Week

Jason Wu had a big week this week. His Jason Wu for Target launch was successful (as expected), driving people to Targets nationwide and Target online handled themselves much better this time around. Add Jason Wu's Fall 2012 collection to the mix (which was all up in my Twitter feed today) and you have a banner week for the main man.

Photos: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

People were raving about the militaristic jackets, the smoking silhouettes and the fabrics, oh the fabrics. From Wintery greys and blacks to red Chinese inspired prints, the collection was cohesive and had a voice. Even in colder months, this collection would keep a girl warm and looking fantastic. Ugh (in a good way).

Tadashi Shoji Fall 2012

Tadashi Shoji's Fall collection was different from the looks that I have dug so far.(see Nicholas K and Corey Lyn Calter prev.). The vision was dramatic for sure but in a different way. 

I am smacked in the fashion face with lace overlays, tasseled fringe, lush velvet and upholstery like prints (in a good way). The vision, and what I assume was the inspiration, was the Roaring 20's era, flappers and maybe a dash of The Great Gatsby? Any way you slice it, I am moved... to want to buy it for the imaginary black tie event that I have on the schedule.

Photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America

 Let's just say that I have never been so inspired by velvet. I am serious. 

Nicholas K Fall 2012 Cowboys Up

Nicholas K's collection came out with guns a blazin' today for the Fall 2012 runway show. Bad ass hats, ponchos, holsters in dusty grays and browns, all made their way down the runway at The Studio at Lincoln Center today.


The styling was rough and tumble, the make up rusty and dark. My boyfriend would be proud of me for having the following thought: The collection summoned the world of The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Cowboy mixed with a sort of post- apocalyptic thing. Yes, I know how strange that sounded and yes, I know only nerds will get my reference.

Photos by Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America

However literal some of the elements in this collection were, there were also details that I thought were clever and imaginative. Take for instance the turtle shell necklace that some of the models donned. The pieces were not part of the Nicholas K line but rather were designed by Jewelry by Matt out of NYC and he is sure to get some much deserved attention for these gooooorgeous pieces! Not something that I would personally wear but in this collection, it really made an impression because the shells themselves were an interesting enough piece to draw the eye and compliment the designer's vision.

Corey Lynn Calter Fall 2012

Today was the first day of Merceded Benz  Fashion Week Fall 2012 and down at Pier 59, the collection that stood out most to this blogger, was under way. I am talking about the goods from designer Corey Lynn Calter. Her presentation was like "BOOM, here I am!" not just in vibrant colors but in the interesting prints and, subsequently, the pairing of the two. What I really, really loved most? Was that if worn with confidence, any regular gal could pull off these looks. These really are ready to wear.

Joe Kohen/Getty Images North America