London Fashion Week A/W 13

{All photos via style.com and telegraph.co.uk}

During what may have been the most hyped London fashion week to date, designers showcased some of the most exceptional and wearable autumn/winter 2013 collections. From veterans to new talent, almost every designer brought their A game to fashion week. Although London may have lost some of their loveable wackiness for more posh, luxe collections, it still feels very British. Now more than ever, high street style has influenced high-end style and vice versa. The symbiotic relationship between the two continues to grow, resulting in very wearable and innovative pieces. 

Some of my favorite trends seen this past week are gold plating, pale pinks, bright blues, orange, burgundy, big faux fur coats, turtlenecks, and full, flared skirts. 

The week had some great, noteworthy fashion. I cannot wait to see what Milan and Paris has to offer! 

-E

New York Fashion Week A/W 13

Fur collars, leather and oversize coats were seen countless times on the runway. For next fall//winter season pants are a must. Maxi skirts and many mini's with thigh high stockings were also spotted. 

There were lots of lovely designs out on the catwalk this past New York Fashion Week. The fashion shows covered Autumn//Winter '13//14.
Lots of intricate patterns hit the runway, but stripes and circular shaped prints were seen often. Above I showed some of my favorite prints for the future season. Red Valentino focused on a Russian theme, while Marc Jacobs used tie patterns throughout both his Marc by Marc Jacobs & Marc Jacobs collections, and Anna Sui went with her signature beautiful bohemian patterns.
Philip Lim and Rag & Bone made a bold, circular collar for their autumn orange tops.
Structured military designs were crawling everywhere on the catwalk. Nanette Lepore created more feminine  military designs, while Rag & Bone stuck to their structured boy-inspired roots.

Some of my favorite things on the runway were the silky pajama day-wear outfits Marc Jacobs put out. He also made a dreamy fur coat I would die for! (along with the hot pants I paired it with above!) 

The fur is ESSENTIAL to your wardrobe for next a//w. Faux fur is always a nice alternative (for co$t & the animals sake!) 

Royal Blue, Turquoise, and Royal Blue with Military were the main blue hues of next a//w's palette.

Leading the color scheme for another a//w silky shades of red and velvety shades of burgundy were adorned on the catwalk. 

Plumb purple made a big appearance, showing up in most shows. 

Forest green, and olive green tones were strutted along the runway as dominating colors of the season.

New York's Autumn//Winter 13//14 Fashion Week had countless designs that enslaved my heart. It was a long week with fabulous fashion statements. Can't wait to see what European designers have coming up during the next few fashion weeks.

xx

-M

made in chelsea

Made in Chelsea, a British reality show, features London's trendiest socialites at their most stylish and dramatic. We have picked up style inspiration from some of the girls from the SW3, particularly Caggie, Millie, Louise, and Rosie. They have impeccable taste, mixing high street and designer fashions. We had fun piecing together our own outfits created with each girl's personal style in mind.

CAGGIE DUNLOP

{Kenna-T leopard coat, Truly Madly Deeply skull shirt, Madewell chambray button up, vintage jewelry}

{Photo via Tumblr}

MILLIE MACKINTOSH

{Nasty Gal blouse, LF vest, Hue leggings, J. Crew boots and necklace}

{Photo via Millie Mackintosh}

LOUISE THOMPSON 

 {Zara pearl collar sweater, Topshop hat, vintage jewelry}

{Photo via Tumblr}

ROSIE FORTESCUE

{River Island blouse, J. Crew blazer and pants, Topshop hat}

{Photo via AtFashionForte}


Keep Calm and Pardy On

-E & M

baked chicken and butternut squash side

It's nice to have a different side dish instead of the same thing repeatedly. I switched things up recently and made a butternut squash side to my chicken dinner.
I bought a whole butternut squash, so to make it easier to cut, I left it to steam in a pot with a little water underneath the strainer for about 30 minutes.
Cut up into bite size squares. Put in a small pan lined with tinfoil. Add salted butter and brown sugar to taste.
Put in oven with tinfoil tenting the pan at 325 degrees for about 15 minutes.

For a quick main dish I resorted to chicken, as a nice source of protein. Simply place 1-3 chicken breasts in a tin lined pan. Next pour olive oil over chicken, add salt and pepper to taste. With tongs flip the chicken around to ensure both sides are well seasoned. Mince some garlic and leave in a few whole ones and (2) lemon juice atop the chicken as well. Bake in oven for 23-25 minuted at 325 degrees. 

For a finishing touch of taste, spread some chevere goat cheese then pesto on the now baked chicken.

Easy enough to make, healthy and delicious.


-M