French Girl Vibes and Fashion Week.

This winter was all about berets. Nothing evokes the magic of Paris and says Ooh La La more than a beret artfully tilted on your head. Everyone and their dog on Instagram had a beret or two in their feed. I know it seems like I got on the bandwagon on the late side, but it was almost two months before New York Fashion Week that I went ahead and ordered some cheap berets from AliExpress. My red beret was the first to arrive - about a month after I placed the order. If I had to do it again I'd probably just order from Amazon for a few bucks more. They still never sent me my hot pink one. So not worth the wait.

I actually ordered the red before I had my pink hair done by Aveda at Spoke and Weal. I was a little worried about the pink/red combo but it totally worked as the pink was pretty subtle. I decided to embrace the color clash and pop it with as many red accents as I could find. I should mention this was from the last day of Fashion Week, and the 5th day since I had it dyed. It was a temporary color and I didn't want to wash it, so I have about a half a bottle of dry shampoo in my hair by the time these photos were taken. Dry shampoo is magic. My favorite is probably Batiste and you can grab some here but I always get mine at the TJ Maxx/Marshalls yellow sticker clearance for a little less.

I had every intention to planning each and every look in advance - and as always I scrambled every morning in a fit of indecision. A lot of girls borrow most of their looks from designers or showrooms for Fashion Week but once again I decided to shop my closet. It's probably a mistake because that's how so many bloggers connect with designers, but to me, I feel it's important to show you that it's possible to have a fun, colorful wardrobe on limited funds. Anyone with $$$ can look good in the latest Gucci - but I wear my thrifted vintage and last season's discounted goods with pride. In full disclosure I do get gifted stuff here and there but anything I share I can call mine. I'm not comfortable endorsing items I have not personally owned and experienced.

Most of this look is compliments of the Zara sale. I pretty much crushed it this year. The socks were in a 2-pack for $3.99, boots were $6.99, skirt was $9.99 and the trench coat was $39.99. Overall, I'm pretty happy with Zara other than their shoes. I picked up several pairs and almost all of them fell apart the first or second time I wore them. Some of them retailed for over $100 and all I know is that if I paid full price I'd be pissed.

But here's what you really wanted to see...

Head to toe:

• Beret: Ali Express, $5.59 (Order on Amazon and get it a month faster, here or here.)
• Sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana, Nordstrom Rack, $0.01
• Necklace: Rebecca Minkoff x Stella & Dot, C/O (RV $59)
• Shirtdress: ASOS, $33.50 (seen before here) 
• Coat: Zara, $39.99
• Skirt: Zara, $9.99
• Cluch: Isti, C/O (RV $99)
• Bag: Frances Valentine (Kate Spade's new line) sample sale, $25
• Gloves: Amato New York, sample sale, $10
• Socks: Zara, $3.99
• Boots: Zara, $6.99

Not bad for about $135 OOP. Typically my bags or shoes alone retail for several times that number.

My photos were actually taken my girl, Scarlett Hao's assistant. Scarlett always kills it at Fashion Week and I love her body positive, curvy girlboss POV. A huge thank you to both of them. At this point I have a front row crew and we usually try to sit up front together regardless if we are given front row LOL. I was just looking back and it was my seventh season I attended NYFW since I started blogging and I'm so grateful for every single opportunity I'm given.

As for beauty, I pretty much lived in my Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick in Corail Backstage and Cosmic Purple Maybelline New York Master Precise Ink Metallic Liquid Liner all week long. I'm thinking I need to order that liquid liner in other colors because out of my 100 colorful eyeliners, it's the best liquid liner I've ever owned. So easy to apply! Usually I'm at the mirror with 20 q-tips fixing the line - but not with this one. One stoke and I'm done!

It's been a while since I hit the sample sale scene. With spring around the corner the good ones are coming! On my radar right now are the following:

Ivy Kirzhner
I'm nervous to share this one because their last sale was a bust but I heard they had cheap samples this round. It's the last days of this one so fingers crossed for markdowns. 
Feb 26-28, 11-8
750 Greenwich Street

Tracy Reese
It's the last couple days for this sale so be sure to look for markdowns.
Feb 26-27, M 10-7, T 10-3
260 West 39th Street, 19th Floor

Schutz x The Arrivals 
I love these brands - I'm hoping that pricing is low! 
Feb 27- March 1, 11-7
261 West 36th Street, 2nd Floor

Hope you didn't miss me too on my mini blog break. I always try to keep a presence on my Instagram but every so often I need a break. I kept looking for inspiration and not finding it so finally I decided to just start writing. I can reinvent the wheel tomorrow...

Happy shopping!

XO
Michelle