Happy Fashion week!

We'll Miss You

I'm forgoing my usual deep thoughts for the week to pay homage to one of fashion's true talents. Alexander McQueen's death will leave a gaping hole in an industry starved for exactly his brand of outlandish genius. Especially now, when many designers are forced to choose between bottom lines or artistic vision, he never concerned himself with playing it safe. He was a rule breaker, but also the kind of man who, when asked in an interview with his mother, answered that love makes his heart skip a beat.

His innovative imagination and seemingly limitless talent churned out brilliant, truly astounding collections season after season. His moving, controversial, fantastical interpretations of modern aesthetics were what fashion is really about. Loved or hated, the designs were deeply emotional and brought even the most jaded back to that visceral gut feeling reminding us why we fell in love with this industry in the first place. Viewing his collections, suddenly we were all 8 years old again, staring wide-eyed, minds racing with an aching desire and passion that no matter how many words spilled, could never be articulated.

Editor of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman sums it up,

"at one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern-day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over. His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't."

He will be missed.

Gift to Love!

What Are You Wearing?

On a day that involves a lunch date, a dinner date and a meeting with my fake boss, the right look for my semi-busy day required being decked out in Atticus gear. Today, I'm wearing

-Kerrigan Richard Jacket

-LnA Men's Deep V

-So Low Leggings

-Frye Paige boots

-Variety of House of Harlow Jewelry

What are you wearing?

Now and Later: ACNE

With the start of NY Fashion Week hours away, I'm finding it increasingly hard to concentrate. In lieu of sneaking an adderall from one of my fortunate prescription-holding friends, I've been staying sane by focusing on Stockholm Fashion Week.

Stealing the show, as usual, is Jonny Johannson's cult line Acne. The FW10 alien inspired collection mixes metal ankle braces, unitards and spray-painted foreheads with down-to-earth details like zippers, fringed scarves and shearling boots. I'm quickly becoming obsessed with the tough leather details and body con mini dresses. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We can't forget that there are the milder spring months to enjoy first and just as lighthearted, the current Acne collection that will be arriving in a few weeks.

Exuding much more of a bohemian and earthy feel, Acne SS10 features dusty hues of pink, beige and mauve. Breezy tanks and flowing dresses create a mystical mood that exists throughout the collection. My favorites include the tie-dyed pieces and the soft spring knits. Perfect organic-feeling pieces to wear on Earth before Acne transports us to another world.

In the Bag: Sarah

A boy scout’s dream come true, Sarah Reiter’s bag has got it all. As Director of Marketing for luxury design and architecture firm, Brownhouse, and active mother of three, she manages no easy feat, exuding enviable style while commanding her hectic schedule. Ballet slippers and a Google phone? Saltines and business cards? They’re all an arm’s length away, proving she's prepared to tackle any situation.

Bag?
Melie Bianco Black Vegan Studded Tote

What's in your bag?
Google phone, hand knit hat I recently finished (sage green alpaca chunky yarn from Lakeside Fibers), The Hangover dvd – loaned to us by our son's preschool teacher (is that wrong?), returned Christmas card (Shelley Prosise Smith, if you are reading this, send her your new address!), She-mergency kit (always prepared), daughter's ballet shoes (they are too small and need to be replaced before Friday's ballet class), blank notebook for random notes, wallet from boden.com, almost empty bottle of perfume, invitation to fundraiser for Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in honor of Andrew Sewell's 10 years as music director, two pairs of almost identical sunglasses, Kleenex, Starbucks gift card, crumpled $5 bill, keys, stack of business cards, recent shopping list written on Kate Spade notebook paper (list includes: toothpaste, Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo, granite cleaner, saltine crackers, clementines, bunny grahams, pull ups), 6 sharpie pens of assorted colors and widths, 1 highlighter, 1 lavender dogs-in-snow pencil, 4 crayons (from recent family dinner at Old Fashioned), 1 pink plastic pig figurine, Aveda lipstick in hot pepper, Jane Iredale lip liner and lip gloss in nude ,3 Brownhouse chocolates (doubles as lunch some days), 1 piece of trident gum (still in wrapper, what luck), 1 quarter, eye drops (Bausch & Lomb, from a recent ski trip), Chapstick

The justification: Valentine's Day Gifts

Oh, Valentine's Day. It's a great day to receive presents if you're with someone, or a day to be dramatic and hate life if there isn't a boy (or in some circumstances, the boy is too busy to text you back). In any case, here are some gift ideas to bestow on the one you're with or just yourself.

Giles&Brother XO Studs in Gold Vermeil

Justification #1: Sturdy yet delicate, these earrings can be worn while dressing up or down. Trust me...I wore them everyday for six months straight.

Justification #2: If gold vermeil isn't your thing, check out the XO Studs in Sterling Silver.

Friend or Foe Frank Sinatra Tee

Justification #1: It might not be the most romantic gift, but it's red and it has a great fit.

Justification #2: Just remember...when in doubt, clothing is WAY more exciting than thoughtless chocolate.