Fashion Night Out 2010

I'm going to quickly admit that I DIDN'T really have a lot of fun at FNO this year.  It was too much hopping around, too much trying to organize everyone to meet up in one place, and too much "aaaaaah-fashion" for me.  (Yeah, I'm a fashion girl, I work in the industry and I love my job, but these fashion swoirees and these types of people are not really always my thing, who am I fooling, they're rarely my thing.  I'm a bit too rough around the edges-just the way I like it-to enjoy hobknobbing like this).

But I'll try my best to be enthusiastic about re-telling my first 3/4 of the evening:

It started out with me being very exhilerated...all week I had planned to make our first stop the Macy's event.  Because who wouldn't want to see one of their favorite models: Jessica Stam alongside a lady of good design and cool clothes: Rachel Roy?

About 20min into it, the girls fled...we couldn't handle the crowd and there was no sign of Jessica.  But I would like to think the lovely and beautiful Rachel is smiley brightly at MY camera, no?  I swear she's looking right at my lens!  (she looks like my friend Jewel)

And what a surprise...I recognize this girl from America's Next Top Model (like back when I used to watch it...ummmmm, Cycle 2??).  It's April from ANTM, right?

After Macy's we headed up to 5th Ave to hit up some of the fancy-schmancy designer stores.  We were under the impression Gant was having Wet, Naked, Male Models--we are ladies after all, what can I say!?!

Much to our dissapointment, and by this time my stress and disgruntled empty stomach and grouchiness, the dudes were by no means naked whatsoever...and definitely no water was invovled.

Lucky for us, Versace just happened to be right next store.

And if there's ever a time to enter one of these expensive stores where you won't just feel awkward and inadequate, well Fashion Night Out is that time.
Yummy for our taste buds...the party was sponsored by Ciroc, which meant some pretty stiff, good cocktails!  FREE-chaching!!!!

So with cocktails in hand, we stood around gawking at the sites.

and I stood admidst a little something equivalent to "Heaven on Earth" (and yeah...I'm wearing my girl-gang vest, my gang vest goes with anything...fashion be damned!)

Here's the pretty model at Versace, and yes-I'll take that dress, please.

And the back of this dress, too!

After Versace we headed down to the West side of Manhattan to hit up the Teen Vogue party.  Grrrrr....they were breaking it down and closing up when we got there-it was only 8pm?  Who ends a party at 8pm?

We stopped in a few other places down there before hopping on the L and heading to Williamsburg for the Market Publique Pop-up Shop/Fashism party.

I was utterly elated and very giddy when the girls from Fashism came up to me and asked if I was "NickieSixx"!  What? Someone recognized me?????  Girls--you made my week, thank you so much for saying hi and getting me excited to participate on fashism.com again!  I'll try to post more often on there I swear!

At the pop-up shop, we browsed the selection of vintage goodies...

Some of us made purchases (because our girl-gang vests are just that much cooler when decorated with vintage)...

I took a moment to pick up the last itty-bitty crumb leftover from the treat table (I know....so inappropriate and unnecessary, but that's what I am 95% of the time, no?)

And then I was asked if Fashism could take my outfit photo for their contest--Um, sure....why not, I do love an outfit photo op!
So, make sure you go on their site, sign up for an acct., and vote for me damn-it!  (they're having a lil' contest for Fashion Night Out's best outfit)

And from this point, we left shortly after...the gang parted ways, went to sleep off the fun, and here we are the following day...
(I feel a weekend rewind coming on maybe???)

Fashion Night Out '10 Attire Includes:
-Downtown Doll's gang vest, DIY by me
-Ivory tricot mini dress, Urban Outfitters
-Black leggings, Uniqlo
-Black booties, Steve Madden
-Black sunglasses, Kensie
-Green felt tote, Urban Outfitters

Check it: THE SKINNY

Sweet surprise I came across today!  

Check the full recap out on Forever 21's blog: The Skinny

Thanks for the shout-out F21!!!! It was a great party last Tuesday!

NY FASHION WEEK: F21/CHICTOPIA PARTY RECAP SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 | 14:19 PM

Life is just a Party

And parties weren't meant to last....

(Quick, who sang that line?  Ummmmm maybe "THE PURPLE ONE"!  A.K.A. my little 5'2" cutie--PRINCE)

And I just so happened to choose the color purple for my IFB (Independent Fashion Bloggers) 

Dress-Up Soiree

 party outfit.

Wearing:

*Purple metal taffeta cocktail dress-Alberto Makali (of which I am the eveningwear designer)

*Black satin sandals-Chinese Laundry

*Silver faux leather clutch-Steve Madden

The night started out with a discussion panel of bloggers, computer techies, and helpful insight into the world of blogging with tips and pointers galore.  Too bad we didn't show up early, and the line prevented Mel and I from getting in and grabbing a seat.  Therefore we were stuck downstairs, just hearing mumbled words from the mezzanine where the panel held court.  In fact, the group downstairs was rather restless due to lack of audio, and can you believe it......we were "SHUSSSHED!", what is this--grade school?  

However, being downstairs had it's perks.   Afterall, I got to meet the below gaggle of girls:

Charise-above (forgive me if name spelling is incorrect) of Purple*Bliss

Nubia-above left of Nubias Nonsense and Mary-above right, designer of gla.MAR.ous

(Mary by the way designed both of the dresses above....nice job!)

And while one of my newly found FAVE bloggers (and a fellow Hoosier--so how could I not like her?) was not there, I do have to give her a shout-out as she was projected on the big screen:

It's Indiana Adams of Adored Austin-above

(Side Note-this girl makes me laugh so much, her blog is so real, down-to-earth and hilarious!)

It was a quick night of meeting lots of fun fashion lovin' girls--whether they blog, design, or just came along for the swag (oh....I got a pot of my fave benefit lip gloss; SCORE!) whatever the case.  Good times, but I had to retire early.  

Never fear, this girl was back in party mode by Tuesday evening!

After a quick trip home from work, I washed up and threw on a bright-a$$ dress!

It was time for the

Chictopia/Forever 21 party

(also held at Broadway East, where I was at the same time the night before).

I took special pains to prepare my hair in such a fashion that from one side you'd think I chopped my hair into a 60s coif--afterall the dress' silhouette is somewhat reminiscent of 1960's minidresses, no?  (Regardless, this is what I felt and why I did my hair up just like so)

I also spent over 2 weeks deliberating on what dress I would wear.  The bright one won out in the end.  This is from my company's sportswear division, sadly I cannot take credit for this one's awesome design work.  No issues there, as long as I get to wear it!  

And the next bit of attire I need to mention are THE SHOES!  I rushed out Sunday afternoon in search of some new kicks to wear to this week's events.  I found nothing I had in mind....but when you have a coupon for $20 off anything, and in addition a stellar pair like these babies ring up at 30% off, that equates to a freakin $60+ savings!  I just adore these peep-toe booties and I plan to wear them till there's no more platform tread on them!  They're amazingly easy to walk in, no achy feet, and to my delight they allow me to tower above everyone (muah ah ah ah, just as I like it.)

Wearing:

*Black satin butterfly wing print dress-Alberto Makali

*Black patent-leather vintage purse-Thrift Store

*Black opaque tights-HUE

*Black leather peep-toe booties-Steve Madden

While I wish more actual Chictopia members would've come out, it seemed as those most were there by some form of Forever 21 invite.  And therefore, I recognized only about 6-7 people at the whole event.  And at that, I only talked to about 4 of them--as I'm not that well known on Chictopia so no need to make a specatacle of myself.

Yet, I'm happy with the meetings I did have, it was rather nice to put an online face with an actual being.

Here I give you the fab girls I had the pleasure of speaking with:

Mel-above, of Idee_geniale glory (of course, who else do you think I would've gone with?)

Jennine-above of The Coveted

Kelly-above (A.K.A. msthang77 on Chictopia)

msthang77-above left and NickieSIXX-above right 

(Of course I had to get a pic of her and I together.  You know, NYC Chictopians gotta stick together!)

There were many other nice, fun, interesting people at the parties.  I know I've missed out with picture opportunities of many, and with many.  Indeed I hope I got your info so as to visit your site, blog, whatever very soon!  That means you Pamela (from Market Publique) and you Cate (from WWD); I had a wonderful time with all of you!  And I hope we can all meet up again soon at another one of these events.

Until then, I must catch up on sleep--a weeknight party girl I am no longer.  Late nights catch up with a girl of my age (yes, check the countdown on my blog--soooooooo little time until I turn the big 3-0!  Yikes, time for beauty sleep right?).

Weekend Rewind: September 12-13th, 2009

"Oh by god.....Look What the Cat Dragged In"

(Hope you're a Poison Fan so you can finish the song, because it's a good one)

Saturday started out with me looking like a

Lost member of Poison.

Seriously, my hair was really really large before I decided it was a bit too over the top-so I tamed it with a quick brushing.  I had a bit more eyeliner on than necessary for a Saturday treck thru the 'hood.  And, the jacket added a masculine quality that left me looking a bit manly, but girly at the same time--just like Bret Michaels, or Riki, or Bobby, or CC (my fave Poison member by far!) circa 1986.

Saturday afternoon-

*Navy boyfriend jacket-Target

*Black vintage Poison concert tee-Thrift Store

*Ivory vintage grommet belt-Thrift Store

*Blue skinny jeans-Uniqlo

*Brown booties-Steve Madden

*Necklaces/earrings-Forever 21

Oh but this jacket!!!!!  $30 from Target....can't beat that.  A little secret ladies--check out the boys' section at these stores.  Target has these little cheap suits for young boys and believe me, we full grown adult women can fit into it!  Not only is it slightly fitted in a good way, it's also cheaper because it's kids' clothing!

And then, after coming home, I shed the jacket.....and what a quick change--no longer am I the lost member of Poison,

instead I've morphed into Lost Poison Groupie

As day turned to night, it was time to figure out what to wear for a girls' night out.  Mel and I planned to meet up in Williamsburg.  And from there, the night was ours.  However, we're not all that crazy, so we were good with going just a few doors down from the subway and staying put all night.  So Union Pool it was.

Forgive the cig, my judgement is often impaired after a few drinks, and this is the outcome. 

In fact, the outcome is a cigarette and 2am photos outside my house before I retire to bed. 

Why don't I do this before I go out when I still look presentable?  Oh yes, again impaired judgement, cocktails that make me feel bolder than I really am.

Saturday Nite-

*Multi-color satin dress-Zara

*Black leather bomber jacket-H&M

*Black opaque tights-Express

*Black vintage suede boots-Thrift Store

*Black chiffon beaded necklace-Forever 21

*Black stud earrings-Macy's

And one more shot....because I was feeling as if I had all the time in the world to put a crappy background on this.  (And now look, it's freakin midnite and I've got work tomorrow.  Eeek)

And for Sunday, no outfit pic.....a t-shirt and jeans does not warrant a photo.

However, I did meet up with Mel again, shopping of course!  We had a mission-FIND SHOES!  I don't think we succeeded.  

And now I will be very boring at the two Fashion Week parties tomorrow and the following night.

Yes, that's right....Fashion Week, Parties, and I'm attending!  What what?

Tomorrow is the Independent Fashion Blogger party--should be exciting to meet everyone and get all dressed up super swanky!

And Tuesday is the Chictopia party.

Ooooooh, pictures pictures pictures, and fun fun fun!  I should go to bed.  There's two parties, two consecutive nights, and 7am wake-up calls for work that I have to deal with.  

Sleepy Time it is! 

Hope you all had a great weekend too!