Red Lips

While in the city for Fashion Week, I sported a new look: Red Lips. I love them. Yes, I was inspired when it was seen among all the editors in the fashion world (models too). At first, I was not completely confident in the bold color but now I cannot stop raving about it.

Not sure how to wear red lipstick? Maybe feel it can be a little too...RED? Just make sure you are light on the eyes, and your true pop of color is on the lips. Day or Night!! While red has become a recent obsession in my personal makeup counter, smokey eyes will always have a place in my heart. I still truly adore & sport the look.

Try Maybelline Color Lipstain 05 "in the buff" for a deep color that isn't as bright or Revlon 725 "love that red" to really make a statement.

xoxo

-S

NYFW day 9

Lo and I decided to go to Soho for a little shopping! LF and back to Top Shop. Lunch at Spring Street Natural where my mom and Di Di met up with us! What an amazing day just being girls. Lo and I continue to find ourselves cracking up at every moment and enjoying each other's company. What's next? Off to Chinatown to find some fun souvenirs. Bargaining has become second nature for both of us... we were quite successful when purchasing "New York" tees and silly memorabilia.

We waited in the lobby bar at the Empire to say goodbye to Mari before we all returned to Texas. Seems like yesterday we were eating at Chowder House discussing what was in store for the week ahead of us. Lifelong friends, Brittany and Hilary, met up with us for a drink while we had a much needed catching up session. It was so great to see wonderful friends in the city we all love.

Spotted: Gwen Stefani walked in from L.A.M.B. to make an appearance at the after party taking place at the rooftop bar in the hotel. Gorgeous! With a little 007 maneuvers, we found ourselves at the party later in the night. Last stop? My hotel room for a dance party. It felt like we were elementary kids again, listening to loud pop music and jumping on the bed. Playlist: Spice Girls, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and of course DIRTY BIT (Black Eyed Peas). So MUCH fun! Our neighbor didn't care for the music, so the party came to an end circa three a.m.  

Our adventures may be on hold, but will soon be back in action when we reunite in Texas. One phrase to sum up the week? Red Lipstick. We have SO many plans and cannot wait for our next fashion week experience. Wow, dreams really do come true.

xoxo

-S

NYFW day 8

Off to the Lincoln Center to start the day with Yigal Azrouel. Loved the collection. Strength, artistic, femininity, seductive yet sensual. Bright trousers and jackets. Rich fabrics, royal, jade and mandarin colors. Spotted: High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens. Back to the Empire to meet up with my mom and Di Di, then off Nanette Lepore. They were so excited to be invited to another NYFW show!! I wanted everything in the collection. Crochet, head-to-toe white and ivory looks set the tone for fall. Soft, light, with a glacial sheen. 

Next stop: Milk Studios for Jeremy Scott. What a fun place to be for a 90's inspired show. Superhero, neon, fur platforms. You won't believe who sat a few people down from Lo and me on the front row...Mr. Kanye West sporting a red "thriller" jacket. Wow! Front row goodies included: exclusive longchamp totes, which I am obsessed with. 

Finally got a chance to see a broadway show this trip with my mom and Di Di. Spider-man on broadway?!! Yes, it was amazing. The stunts were out of this world. As we were leaving the theater I heard a familiar voice, "Oh my stars," Thomas and Errol were behind me. Who would have thought I would run into some of my favorite people at the show? After a quick recap of our days, we parted where I found myself walking alongside of Kanye. The jacket was a staple piece you could not miss in any crowd. I introduced myself to the singer and off he went into his car before the cameras could take control. We walked around the corner for a dinner at Sardi's to end the night around midnight... in the city this is early.

Tomorrow is the last day...time has flown by and the adventures have been over-the-top! Parting ways with the city will be bittersweet.

xoxo

-S

NYFW day 7

Rise and shine...today we were headed to Silvercup Studios in Queens to the Gossip Girl set!!! We met up with Aaron and Alex to film behind the magic of the wardrobe department where I had the pleasure of meeting the head of costume, Eric Daman. Penn was in for his fittings for the finale episode, so we waited for him to finish up before we got the complete tour. Lo interviewed Eric while we took in all the amazing things he had to say. Walking into the closet felt so surreal. The inspiration wall was one of my favorite things about wardrobe--clips from magazines which have helped create the characters, similar to a giant collage. Paul McCartney (in his beatles days) was among the many photos on the wall. LOVE. Most intriguing character to dress? Chuck Bass.

After walking through the aisles of clothing, seeing all of the character's outfits for the upcoming last episodes this season, we headed to the set to take a sneak peak. We had a blast walking through set, acting out a few scenes of our own. Finding myself on Blair's bed and in the Van der Woodsen home was unbelievable. Spotted: Leighton Meester leaving set.

Off to Soho with Lo to meet up with my mom and Di Di. We enjoyed lunch at one of my favorite places in the city, Mercer Kitchen. Delish! We wondered around Soho to do some shopping: I was dying to go in Top Shop, which I loved. We had to wrap up to make it back in time for the ballet (Lo and I had tickets) to see one of my favorites, Wendy Whelan. When I was younger, I was Clara in the Nutcracker at Chamberlain School of Ballet in Plano, TX ...Wendy was our Sugar Plum fairy that year! SO amazing to see her on stage in New York. Graceful. Perfection. Brilliant. Ballet will always hold a very special place in my heart.

What a wonderful day with family and friends. Back to the hotel to write away, while looking forward to yet another day in the big apple. Until tomorrow...

xoxo

-S

NYFW day 6

After a long night in the city, I heard a knock at my door in the early morning. My heart melted when I saw a dozen beautiful roses had been delivered to my room from my Valentine...Mr. David Kubicek! What a great way to start off this love bug holiday even when you cannot spend it with one another. 

Lo and I met at the Plaza for the Alice+Olivia show! Not only is this one of my favorite designers, but the party? Elegance. Champagne was flowing, Godiva chocolate hearts and the sounds of Frank Sinatra filled the room. Flashback into the 40's. Sequins, sparkle tights, fabulous.

Can you guess who met us for dinner?! I will give you a hint...she attends Columbia Law School. One of my best friends, ABBY!! I was so excited she joined for Valentine's dinner with Lo, Mom and Di Di. Balloons filled the room, chocolate covered strawberries...with a twist...cheesecake filling (so decadent)! The five of us caught up over pasta and wine while being the loudest group in the restaurant with our uncontrollable laughter. Let's just say "girls just wanna have fun" even on a romantic holiday. 

After dinner we said our goodbyes as Abby went "down the rabbit hole" (Di Di's term for the subway) to her apartment, planning to meet up once more before I leave the city. Sleep here is few and far between, but on this night I would finally be getting some. We had a big day ahead of us, I was almost too excited to sleep...soon you will know why.

xoxo

-S

NYFW day 5

The city has been wonderful, exciting, & spontaneous. Time has flown by and before I know it another day has passed. First show: Malandrino. Elongated silhouettes, wool, furs, leather. Chiffon blouses, trousers, embroidery, color. A collection I could see myself wearing at any moment. We met up with our wonderful team to shoot photos, what amazing people to have the pleasure of working with. Spotted: Kelly Rutherford or Lily van der Woodsen as you may know her from Gossip Girl. One word? Stunning. 

Next stop: the Empire where I met up with some very important guests. My mom and aunt Di Di had arrived in the city!! After eating a late lunch at Chowder House, I was off to Grand Central Station for a flash mob Moncler Grenoble fashion show I will never forget! Dressed in shades of burgundy, mustard, grey and black skiwear, the extravaganza performed a routine inspired by the one and only Bob Fosse (my all time favorite choreographer)!

Mari had pulled some strings for our next show, Zang Toi, and invited my mom and Di Di to join!! They were ecstatic to be coming to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. While they talked to our fabulous team waiting outside the show, I popped into Behnaz Sarafpour's presentation with Lo. Fur, leather pants, long gowns and beading caught my eye. Soon after, we all headed into Zang Toi to take our seats. 

Zang Toi presented a line filled with detail oriented pieces. Breathtaking fur and jewels. Emerald, neutral and black tones. Sitting next to Lo and Errol, we could hardly contain ourselves. Each piece kept us on the edge of our seats. Special guest? Jill Zarin wore the last look of the show. The hand sewn beading made the gown jaw dropping. The Real Housewife looked confident while strutting down the runway. Zang Toi received a standing ovation when he and Jill walked down ending the show. We were able to stick around to go backstage since Zang is a friend of Mari's. He was so thrilled the night had exceeded his expectations, his smile was ear to ear. I went around the corner to talk to Jill and snap a quick photo! 

Lo and I joined my mom and Di Di for dinner, then we had plans to go to Juliet where we met up with Ryan Cabrera, High School Musical's "Troy" Zac Efron and one of Twilight's vampires "Emmet" Kellan Lutz. I looked up from the table to see that Tony Parker was also there (should I have mentioned I am a Mavs fan???). The adventures of Lo and Shan continue to be very exciting...pinch me I still feel like I am dreaming... 

xoxo

-S

NYFW day 3 & 4

The adventures of Lo and Shan were only beginning in the city that never sleeps. The wind chill was picking up here, thankfully I had my grandmother's fur coat that she passed along to me. It is not only fabulous but now vintage! My favorite part has been wearing a coat that has "Carolyn Pedrotti" stitched on the inside. If you don't know Mamama, well she is one incredible woman. On day three we went off-site to Sally LaPointe where we sat front row. White room, colorful lights and futuristic designs. The vibe? Sci-Fi. The collection ended with a fierce red gown I could not seem to stop thinking about. Best part of front row? I could snap some incredible pictures. 

After the show Lo and I were craving a big slice of New York pizza so we caught the subway (my first ride) to Times Square. Now I really felt like I was in the city. Nothing better than seeing the lights, broadway show signs and tourist traps! I was tempted to buy a shirt with "I love New York" when we passed by a street vendor. Broadway holds a special place in my heart since I grew up a dancer, and I am insane over the theater. Seeing people pour into shows makes my heart pump.

Day four was here, so we headed to Rachel Antonoff for a high school dance themed presentation. How fun. Models dancing and playing all the key roles of teens. Checked twitter after we left and it seems we had just missed Mr. Brad Goreski's attendance. Araks was next. Theme? Oxfords. Vintage. Incredible. Stopped to snap a few photos of models hanging outside the building...this is one of my new passions. Fashion Week continues to surprise me as I learn more about myself here. Next: Vivianne Tam with a full house. My favorite look? Floor length, formal, sparkles. 

Now here is the part that has blown my mind. We headed to pier 94 for Alexander Wang. Speechless. We had just managed to get into one of the highest security shows. We watched as security turned people away left and right. Lo and I were in line to find we had standing. We had worked our way into the front row, dream come true.  I was among the elite of the fashion world. Could this be real? Editors galore. Straight across from me on front row: Anna Wintour. 

Snagged some dinner at Whole Foods and off to the hotel room to write with Lo. Wonderful evening working, laughing, discussing the future. I could not be any happier. Let's see what today will bring...

xoxo

-S