For my first NYFW I came prepared with a full schedule and I must say it was everything I hoped for and more! If you are a blogger and have been dreaming of attending I strongly advise taking the leap and just doing it! So here we go with day 1! I am going to share my experience in a 5 part series broken down by day, traveling tips and tricks, budgeting and lessons learned so say tuned for those posts!
So my flight was at 6:20am from IAH, which placed me at LGA around 11. With a jam-packed NYFW schedule, and the first event starting around 12, we hit the ground running! First stop was to our hotel to unpack and change, then to the Nolcha Lounge Showroom!
Here I had the opportunity to meet with Ecru New York! I have collaborated with the brand in the past, but loved getting an up-close look at their assortment and fall colors! If you are unfamiliar, Ecru New York is a hair product and makeup company! They have an amazing dry texturizing spray and the most amazing lipsticks!
My outfit of the day was this beautiful tonal plaid dress from Nicole Miller. I paired it with oversized sunglasses, tall faux suede boots from Steve Madden and the elegant Ally crossbody from Elaine Turner. All of which you can shop here!
Following this meeting I popped over to Bryant Park for show photos, then it was off to Pier 59 got the Supima 10th Annual Design Competition! Since we made it over to the piers a bit early we popped into the High Line Hotel patio bar for a drink. I ordered a Frozen Italian Splash which was lemon and delicious!
With a short walk over to Pier 59, I was lined up and ready to enter the show! So this was my very first show to attend and I was so excited it was seriously a blur! The designs were so beautiful and creative I have no idea how the judges were able to decide on a winning line! Following the show there was an excellent after party on the roof top which was a scenic view of the water and gorgeous greenery.
One thing I will say about fashion shows is you usually end up becoming friends with the person sitting next to you! As you all know I am super shy so this aspect was really amazing for me to get to know someone and share this amazing experience with!
So after the Supima show and after party wrapped up we stopping in at a small Italian restaurant for dinner then it was back to the hotel for some much needed rest and recharge for a full day of go-go-go- day two!
For NYFW, I partnered with a super cute boutique located in Tulsa named Posh! They were so sweet to provide me with two looks for my trip, which I happily curated.
So I wanted to select something travel-friendly, that would be cute and be easy to pack. Following these guidelines I selected the white split sleeve top, versatile black jeans by Dear John in the style Joyrich, a lightweight mixed print romper from Olive + Oak, and sparkling bracelets by Rustic Cuff.
Co-owner Melissa, was amazing communicating with me throughout the process! And I must speak to Posh’s customer service, which is wonderful! They boast about their superb customer service in-store, but I must say, that translates to their online experience as well! Just wonderful!
The pieces were packaged so thoughtfully and arrived to me in time for my travels, despite shipping delays from Hurricane Harvey. I tried everything on and all of the pieces fit perfectly! I especially loved the way the jeans fit! I am hard to size when it comes to denim but Dear John is apparently a great brand for my figure! This is something else I would like to call out about Posh. They sell clothing that fits how it should fit nothing is misleading, or unflattering which I really appreciate! You can tell their assortment was well thought out with no fillers, just excellent merchandise!
So the first look I created was for my air travel to NYC. I wanted something comfortable, but also cute…something oversized but not baggy. This look was the perfect match for what I was looking for in a traveling ensemble! The white top I am wearing is in a size small for reference. I kept my accessories minimal with just the white Rustic Cuff bracelet and my favorite pair of oversized sunnies.
For the second look I paired the adorable, Olive + Oak lightweight button front romper with my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Steve Madden boots, a burgundy lip, this oversized felt hat that I picked up at Marshalls, and a slouchy grey hobo from Kenneth Cole. I seriously wore this ensemble all over Manhattan! The relaxed fit and dual pocket design make it the perfect piece to trot around town in. From fashion shows, to meetings, and even the subway I managed to stay comfortable, confident and cute in this piece!
My experience with Posh was fantastic! Every piece on their site is of quality, and in my opinion, all pairs well together. The pieces’ compliment each other from department to department and the prices are extremely affordable for what you get!
If you are interested in shopping at Posh Tulsa, the great news is they have a website so you do not have to live in Tulsa to shop with them! Check out their site today and receive 25% off of your order with the code “HALEY”
Hi Lovelies!
So I am currently embarking on my first New York Fashion Week, and wanted to go ahead and share with you what I am taking with me to look fabulous over the next 4 days! I have packed all of these pieces and more in my Merona Weekender for Target so yes, packing skills required! 😉
I will of course be creating stylized posts and will share all of my exciting NYC adventures with you when I get back, but wanted to give you a sneak peek of all of my looks ahead of time so you can shop them!
Enjoy!
Click on the photo or (here) to shop!
As for the outfit I am wearing for travel (featured image) you can purchase those pieces from Posh Tulsa! They are a boutique that offers a variety of beautiful clothing items as well as shoes and accessories! I’ll give a full write up on my experience with them and their products when I get back. 🙂
You may have also noticed the couture items in my instastories, those are from Danny Nguyen Couture! I am super excited to wear his designs, and look forward to sharing pics and a blog post with you all in regards to his label!
Stay tuned for posts of my NYFW experience, and follow me along of instagram to see what I’m up to in real time!
So back in July Chloe Dao celebrated her birthday by throwing a 50% sale at her Houston boutique! I had never visited the season 2 Project Runway winners store before but just had to go and check it out! Her store is super mod and her assortment is amazing! There is something for everyone with a touch of fun prints, edgy hems, and lux fabrics.
I purchased this oh-so-cute jacket in this amazing mustard color (similar). This color is my favorite right now for the start of fall, and the design of the jacket is just perfect! What makes this visit to her store even more special is Chloe was actually there! We got to meet her and she helped us shop a bit!
So to style this look I paired the jacket with a black and white striped t-shirt by Chaps (similar) and black skinny jeans by Jessica Simpson. I want all of the attention to be on the jacket so I kept my accessories solid with my signature Kate Spade tote, and these beautiful over- the-knee boots by Steve Madden.
To give the ensemble a finishing touch I wore this exaggerated stone ring by Blandiri. It is adjustable, gorgeous, and pairs so well is so many different styles!
Here I go with transitioning apparel again! Since I live in Texas, we get to wear our shorts a little longer than everyone else! This look is a fun mix of the best of fall and summer all in one!
I created this look with a desire to wear fall colors, but in a comfortable way! To make that happen, I paired my favorite white Old Navy shorts with a maroon turtleneck from Boohoo. The two contrasting pieces come together with the perfect accessories!
Accessories
This elegant statement necklace by Stella and Dot is actually convertible! You have the option to wear it with the long strands or just as a short piece. I personally like to wear the long strands to the back. Its such a cool piece! The necklace is made of beautiful beads in mixed metals with an S hook clasp for easy switch-ability.
I also chose a fun pair of tortoise print sunnies for this look, a faux fur cheetah print belt from Express (similar) and exposed side booties that I purchased at Stage. (Similar)
So even if you are like me and live in a warmer climate, you can start wearing your fave fall colors are embracing the trends with alternative bottoms…shorts! The accessories are all you need to really make the ensemble work!
Since I lightened my hair, I catch myself selecting pastel shades of clothing. I seriously don’t think I used to wear pink nearly as much as I do now! So for this look, I am wearing a light pink top I received from Romwe, and a classic pair of white ankle pants from Jessica Simpson.
Now yes, these two pieces are rather plain but what really makes this ensemble special is the accessories! I added a pop of color and print to the look with this layered Charming Charlie necklace (similar) and these fun slip-ons from Indigo Rd! The shoes are a light blue with a wide white bumper sole and a woven pastel toe cap. These accessories complement the pink and white perfectly and really complete the look!
As for details of the top and pants. This Romwe top was under $10 and is extremely lightweight and flowy. It is perfect for warm weather, and looks great with shorts. I really love the subtle sleeve detailing and boat neckline. Now as I have mentioned before, I do not like to wear white bottoms…it stresses me out! But this pair by Jessica Simpson has really changed my mind! I love the fit, style, and the overall fabric of this pair of bottoms! They are perfect for the summer and have become a staple for me. So as I transition to fall I am going to miss this ensemble but had to share it in the meantime! For a comfortable and cute weekend look, this is a no brainer!
I love gingham, but find myself rarely purchasing it. Maybe its because its usually just for summer? Maybe its because its normally offered in pastels, not too sure. But when I spotted this black and white embroidered gingham top on Amazon, I had to have it! The colors and sleeve length are perfect for transition to fall, so you can wear it in other seasons…not just the spring and summer!
I decided to pair this look with black skinny jeans and platform wedges, as this blends well with the gingham print, and accessorized with my black sunglasses and red lip ito finish off the retro vibe!
This look is so fun and totally revolves around this amazing top! The material is lightweight, and features elbow length bell sleeves. The floral embroidery is elegant with pops of beautiful reds. I love the fit and shape of the piece which is perfect for a slightly dressier look.
The Perfect Retro Red Lipstick
The lipstick I am wearing is actually YSL Glossy Lip Stain and I must say, this lipstick is wonderful! The formula is hydrating and very buildable. I love the coverage and lasting design! – Not to mention the gorgeous packaging! I think this shade compliments the look impeccably! Sometimes the smallest of details can make all of the difference!
As the season starts to change there are certain trends I am just not quite ready to let go of. Seeing as this is Texas, I think we get a pass when it comes to summertime fashion extensions because lets face it, it’s so HOT here!
So the trends I am talking about are flirty sleeves and hems and of course, tassels. This look features a super cute striped t-shirt, but what makes it so special is the hem! It has a raw design where it is attached to the bodice, and has a ruffled relaxed fit. I ordered this top from Shein on Amazon for $12.99 and for the price, the quality is excellent! I love to pair it with black high waisted shorts and sandals, but for this look I chose black skinny jeans to show how is it a perfect piece for summer and yet transitional to fall!
For accessories I am wearing a collar necklace from Stage in a white filigree design, black Jessica Simpson sunglasses, my signature straw fedora (similar), and MIA slip-on sneakers with a faux leather tie design. The mixture of textures with the stripes really adds interest to the look, and makes it stand out from the typical black and white ensemble.
The final touch to this look is Givenchy Noir 4-in-1 mascara. This has been my summer go-to for natural long, gorgeous lashes! The formula is lightweight, and the innovative brush is so cool! I especially love the sleek packaging, and how easy it is to take on the go! I’m carrying it in my favorite Kate Spade tote (similar) today!
If you are looking for a great way to add a girly touch to a black and white look, think of the sleeves or the hem of the item! Adding in ruffles, bell sleeves or peplum/babydoll hems can really make a difference in transforming the look!
Sleeve detailing is everywhere right now. I just love how changing up a part of a shirt totally transforms it! Today I am spotlighting this mixed media top I purchased from Shein. It angled sleeve design really makes this piece special.
I purchased this piece through Amazon and received it within two days through Prime. So my only complaint with this piece is you have to iron it. The sleeves get really wrinkled because of the material it is comprised of. But once it is ironed it is great!
I have paired this piece with skinny jeans, faux suede mules, coordinating hat, and my favorite tonal tassel earrings.
This look is so fun and perfect for an daytime outing. The sleeves look amazing when they catch a breeze, and overall this look is just so bright and cheerful.
So I really want to start off this post with some confessions. Over the past few years I have not taken very good care of my hair. With color, bleach, stripping of color, color, bleach, and repeat. My endless desire to change my hair has really brought damage to it over the years. This year I have really focused on ways to pamper my hair and give it some much needed TLC, so when David Douglas Beauty reached out, I of course welcomed the opportunity to try out their product line!
David Douglas Beauty is a professional hair care company founded in 2002, offering products made with high quality ingredients and best of all, never tests on animals. So lets get started with my review!
The products I have tested on my hair include:
- Violet Toning Shampoo
- Violet Toning Sealer
- Keratin Infused Shampoo
- Keratin Infused Conditioner
- Spray Straight
- Keratin Infused Serum
Packaging website and ordering
The packaging is sleek and minimalist, perfect in my opinion for hair products, that way the focus is on what is inside! The website is beautiful, and is neatly categorized by Product Type, Hair Treatment, and Hair Concerns. This makes it super easy to find exactly what you are looking for. As for shipment, my order came quickly and everything arrived safely. Each item was securely sealed with no leaks or damages.
Violet Products
The violet shampoo is a deep shade of purple and has similar texture to other violet shampoos I have tried. The benefits of this particular brand are the quality of ingredients and, for me the fact the I don’t have to sacrifice feel for color. Normally when I use color toning shampoos my hair is left feeling brittle and dry on the ends. That is simply not the case with this violet shampoo. My hair felt clean and workable. There is no heavy leftover residue, just soft clean hair that looks brighter and a cooler shade of blonde even after one use!
For the sealer, the shade is a pastel purple and has what appear to be sparkles in the formula. You apply to towel dried hair, let it sit for a few minutes then rinse with cool water. I really like this product! It sort of feels like a conditioner but not as heavy and doesn’t leave hair weighed down. You have the option to leave it in longer based on the shade you are trying to achieve, which is really cool, and again, I like this product because it is not over drying of harsh. – best of all it does not stain my fingers!
Over the next few uses of the violet products, I have noticed my hair has felt softer as well as brighter. When you have bleached hair, it can often feel very dry especially if you wash it too often. Since using these two products I have noticed that I can extend the life of my hair between washes, as it does not produce as much oil at my scalp, so that I can go 2.5 days between washes versus everyday. This process is much healthier on hair so I am very pleased with this product and its payoff so far.
I have been using these two products as my regular routine to keep my hair shiny and its best shade of blonde.
My New Straight Hair Regimen
Now these products are the real game changer for me. I have always struggled to manage straight hair. With the Houston humidity, and the fact that I have curly/wavy hair, even with the best straightener I end up with a frizzy mess every time! With the Keratin infused products, and spray straight I am able to achieve my straightest hair that lasts!
Keratin Infused Shampoo and Conditioner
On days when I want to straighten my hair I have been using the keratin products. The formula is thick and provides a rich lather. My hair is left feeling clean and ready for styling.
Styling Products
Following the wash, I towel dry my hair and apply the Keratin Infused Serum then blow dry. The serum is by far my favorite smelling product, seriously it smells amazing! It is not too oily or sticky and doesn’t leave my hair greasy. To finish off, I apply the spray straight. This is seriously the miracle product when it comes to keeping my hair straight. It does slightly change the texture of my hair…meaning you can tell there is product in it, but it looks natural and reduces frizziness which keeps my hair tamed in the humidity. Basically I would like to know where this product has been all my life?! 😀
To Sum It Up
My overall thoughts on the David Douglas brand is the products are very high quality and perform as described. They definitely surpassed my expectations, and I would recommend them to anyone looking to improve their blonde, combat frizziness, or just want to enhance the appearance of their hair! David Douglas the go-to for it all!
Here is a great example of my results! The left image is what happens to my hair is the humidity, before I had David Douglas products, the right image is how my hair withstands the heat and humidity with David Douglas products!
