GLOSSYBOX (pt. I & II)

Beauty. When I came back home from NYC there were another two parcels waiting for me: 2 x Glossybox filled with various beauty samples from lip balm to varnish from Kiehl's to L'Oréal. Must be, girls have a thing for mini products since they've got the perfect traveling size and ... well, look cute?! Must say, "Minnie" doesn't really convince me, never has, yup, team Daisy over here, definitely, for ever and ever, but then again, it's kinda nice to try all those products out just like the dark brown mascara which I personally would never intend to buy - it's like, NOW that I have it I'm curious about how it will look, if it makes any difference, effect and all ... you know. So if you like surprise surprise beauty samples, I'd say, go for it!

Have a great day!

xx, A.

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dance, jive, time of your life

Nostalgia. Every time I look at these pics I have that ABBA song stuck in my head... if you follow IOWA on Facebook you may know why... well, the photos were taken some weeks ago, back in those freezing days that I have already forgotten tralalalala and keeping that in mind plus the fact that it's getting more and more springlike each day, I guess, it's just more than fair to look back and say: "it wasn't sooo bad" - or they say, at least. Never ever 've been the nostalgic kinda gal, find it always slightly weird to worship things that sucked today like the day after tomorrow... you know... like some do after graduating from high school or after recovering from food poisoning: "didn't taste that bad.." ... uhm, yeah, right! 

But hey, it's winter or rather was, captured on a very very cold but sunny day, wearing nothing special but some basics and well, we obviously had a blast, we, the snow and me - that's different like not too bad, right? I mean think of all the fun winter things like Christmas... and Christmas... and the first snowfall (when you're INSIDE) and uuhm Christmas... (won't talk about the C-day too much in what ? - almost March, just mentioning for a better understanding, I promise) and - I know, I know, I know - long story short: bye bye winter wonderland, see you ... well... then!

BANJO & MATILDA

life is beautiful. A couple of weeks ago I've got mail from Lizzie who asked me if I like cashmere - definitely!!! - if I was interested in receiving some items of BANJO & MATILDA - of course?!!!!! - and after one or another mails she sent me a quite heavy parcel right over the bigger pond from Australia to Austria (funny how some people use to mix the two up: "where're you from?" - "Austria" - "ahh where the kangaroos live? picture those certain kangaroo imitation moves and a weird look on the other side - "uuhm, nope" ... but that's another story ...) - back to the fashionable roots: what I've finally received were by far the loveliest and most precious packed items ever! Lizzie not only wrote me such a cute message saying "hope you enjoy your cashmere" but also threw in a jet set pack for all my travelings to top it off. The yellow super soft  - cashmere, eh! - oversize sweater's just the cherry on the icing on the cake - dear Lizzie and BANJO & MATILDA, thank you so much again, I really do enjoy my cashmere and can't wait to wear it! 

Happy Mondays!

xx, A.

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MBNYFW: Day 7 | show

Whitney Eve. The show was my absolute favorite. When the audience sat down and the lights went out and it was almost absolutely quiet, the music was turned on (Beyonce's "who run the world"), the lights were switched on again and the first model took a run... it was like WOW WOW WOW - hearts in my eyes, truly fell in love every second with each look that came around the corner, it kinda felt like the whole collections was created just for me (oh so envied the front row guys with there Whitney Eve goodie bags, thought of wangling one off but there was no chance, they've been protected like diamonds... unfortunately... haha just kidding). 

Aww, those girly florals and color combos, those dresses, peplum tops and alluring shorts combined with some menswear-inspired pieces just made me melt away - for me Whitney Eve embodies that certain New-York-City-girl chic that makes you look effortlessly cool and though and at the same time feminine and sweet - perfection! The whole show was topped off with a sooo glamours and stylish looking Whitney Port waving and smiling like a million dollar baby. 

Oh and as I told you, after the show and the designer's short appearance the lights go out again and the audience rushes out like a scalded cat - well, me, I don't! I seized the opportunity of the shining rush hour and tagged along some guys who were heading in the other direction. Yes, admitted, I sneaked backstage... which was a-maaazing! I met Kelly Cutrone, who I really admire, btw, we even had a little chat after she was comically shouting at me: "ARE U TAKING PICTURES OF ME?" (literally captured the moment, huh?) .. wouldn't say she still remembers, though ... haha but well, it was kind of a highlight for me... 

Enjoy your Sundays!

xx, A.

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MBNYFW: Day 7 | outfit

Outfit: boots Moma, shorts Stolen Girlfriends Club, shirt ZARA, blazer Atos Lombardini, bag Patrizia Pepe

Tripled. Last day of fashion week for me even if there was still one to go. Headed to the Lincoln Center early in the morning for one show that I was very very excited about. Missed to take some real photos of the outfit so here just a shitty snap, the weather was a mess and I was in a hurry since our plane would be leaving in the afternoon. Wore those dark blue cable knit shorts by Stolen Girlfriends Club, a white blouse and a black oversized big shoulder blazer... 

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MBNYFW: Day 6 | outfit + show

DIESEL BLACK GOLD. Regarding the outfit I actually had something different in mind but then again, it was the last full day for us in NYC and I absolutely didn't want to spend the day changing clothes. So I went for a very casual but kinda suitable look as i supposed since I slipped into my most comfortable fashionable "worn out" pair of baggy pants by DIESEL BLACK GOLD which always make me look effortlessly cool and chic at the same time... hmmm or rather gives me the feeling to do so... paired a floral silk blouse to not feel underdressed (shoulda see some others), threw the matrix coat over and was ready to go. On that day I met Kamel Lahmadi of Style and the City again but this time he had a whole scene in mind for me...

- see what I mean? He always wants to capture the natural beauty of women in his photographs as he told us. So I'm very, very, very curious about the results.

The DBG show was very cool, I grant, expected no other. Love those big belts worn very low (even over coats), the low cut pants, skirts - all those hip huggers Diesel is famous for, you know... I've also seen  a lot of layering, more baggy than skinny pants, even a pair of slops *oh dear*, flowing skirts, folklore-ish leather pants, animal prints on a shiny rain-coat-ish fabric AND my all-time favorite: the camel coat *slobber slobber* - the only thing that was missing (if you ask me) was the super edgy denim pants (again) Diesel is famous for.. you know.. really missed them! See the show's finale taped below (find it always so funny that the audience jumps up at the very end of each show and rushes out like there's no tomorrow) and my favorite looks after the click.

MBNYFW: Day 5 | outfit & shows

Carlos Miele | Zang Toi. Let's ignore the fact that MBNYFW's started almost 2 weeks ago and London already had its moment and... IOWA's recap is kinda behind, the faux pas per se in internet-land, I know but the thing is, I want you to be part of my fashion week experience... keeping that in mind one review's better than none, right? Funny enough, just when I arrived at home after a 7 hours flight and a 3-4 hours train journey, I received an invitation for London Fashion Week too - kick in the pants, couldn't go... moving and stuff, you know... too bad!

Besides, I was wearing the color du jour... mint... mix&matched some wintery items like the green glitter stockings by Prada and the faux fur PLUS: gotta love that mint+rusty color combo. On my way I came across Kamel Lahmadi of Style and the City who is sooo nice and enthusiastic, it really was a pleasure!

Regarding the shows, absolutely loved Carlos Miele! That feminine western look (those hats - a-dore!) with high waisted silk pants/jumpsuits or any other flowing fabrics, the prints, the colors and those belts, models with flowing manes musically accompanied by some catchy Brazilian beats by the brothers spin Sean and Anthony Souza (just in case you didn't know). I had a really cool seat which allowed me to spy some backstage stuff like the last check before the models take a run, see? Btw, don't use the professional shots of each look since I think mine convey the special atmosphere of the shows, you know? Also, my show photography skills improved day by day, see? haha.

WARNING: picture overload behind the click. haha

MBNYFW: Day 4 | outfit

Strike a pose. On day 4 of MBNYFW we totally forgot to take some "real" outfit photos so I decided to show you these "front and backstage" photos. As I told you there are a lot of street style photographers and magazine people waiting outside of the Mercedes Benz tent to get their fashionable shots. So on that day I haven't had any shows on my schedule - or rather I skipped some to go for a 3 hours circle line cruise which was a-mazing!! - but a chat about upcoming trends with WGSN (one of the main sponsors of MBNYFW). Aaaand on my way I was stopped by several people including the Marie Claire guys. I was flattered and at the same time didn't realize what was actually happening haha... see for yourself...

shopping stuff and love stories

NEW IN. As you may have noticed in my prior post I talked about an interesting shopping experience that I had in NYC - the city without borders... regarding fashion, not airport-plane-check in stuff ... you know... but that's another story... 

People who know me well would definitely confirm that I'm the kinda gal who always finds something special even if it's just a little which will always remind her of the certain shopping tour in THE city of her heartS (one always has more hearts to give when it comes to shoes, sunglasses and cities, right?)... funny enough, I didn't find anything like really NOTHING in New York f**king City (just to say it like a Gaga) - can you believe that? Wouldn't say there were no temptations, not at all, but as soon as I looked at the price tag I knew I had to get out of the bloody shoppy shop shop. 900 $ for some faux leather pants? No way! Even worse: my credit card doesn't work in the U.S. which I found out, well... there. Annoying!

The other thing was, I didn't want to shop at stores they have here too... but then again, ZARA's got the best stuff in its category. So on the last Big Apple day when I still seemed to go back home empty handed, I sneaked in and took all I could carry. Thanks ZARA for saving my trip and cheering me up, the boy absolutely appreciated it!

Have a lovely day!

xx, A.

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MBNYFW: Day 3 | outfit & show

Vantan Tokyo. Only one show in the afternoon which was perfect since we could head to SoHo (get that body downtown) in the morning to explore New York's shop'o'sphere which was kinda strange... well, more about my Apple-ish shopping experiences soon...

I was wearing flats and a floral Topshop jumpsuit which was very comfy but very cold since it's got that low back... I'd say, bite through it and managed to survive a day of long walks, gusting wind and fashion week insanity... well, maybe you've recognized my tired look into nowhere but hey, Mr. jety-jetlag got more attached than I'd prefer... 

The show was amazing (apologies for the shitty quality, it's getting better bit by bit, show by show), extra long haired models with soft curls swanning along the runway wearing again a lot of layers - texture blocking, still some color blocking and especially print blocking which I haven't seen a lot before... seems like you can't go wrong with any kind of blocking... the more the merrier, right? So you better get started: layer, layer, layer...

extreme images overload, watch out after the click.

MBNYFW: Day 2 | entire outfit

Traditional. On the 2nd day of MBNYFW I went for a very folklore look. Leather pants which aren't exactly what one'd call cool but traditional (where I come from) yet definitely exotic in the Big Apple... the reactions were actually cross the vegetable patch from amazement to confusion, from not noticing or not understanding (always a fine line between the two, right?) to desiring and photographing. 

For me it was something unusual too but great fun. Mix&matched a DIY tartan jacket, which has those cute pleats and a bow in the back (def gonna show you that someday) and halo braided my hair (which oh so worked out, smoothly... you know) to top it off. The matrix coat (? well, note its length and leather sleeves, pleeease) plus the weird sunnies (would you ever think I got them at H&M?) create the perfect contrast, no? yes? no? maybe? definitely! 

Outfit: traditional Austrian leather pants, boots MOMA, tartan jacket DIY, coat ZARA, scarf Patrizia Pepe, sunnies H&M

Happy Mondays everyone!

xx, A.

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Bumble and bumble Skyline

Hard to get. Let's forget about the dirty window - hey, it's NYC, so what? - and have a look at my very personal mini skyscrapers aka Bumble and bumble surviving set. Don't know why but I have that certain affection for these BB products, simply have to stop at each SEPHORA or duane reade - is it the fact that it really really works and exactly does what it says on the tin or just it's colorful eye catching packing? Both, I guess! But I definitely had to buy ahead since BB is kinda hard to get here in Austria... you know.

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MBNYFW: Day 2 | shows

Concept Korea | Brandon Sun. Okay. Must say, didn't expect that A.T. A.L.L. The audience on the catwalk, the models on the grand stand. Some rumbling here and there, cameras flashing and a lot of "oohs" and "ahhs" - loved it! Concept Korea: pack an Asian designer ensemble of four, 4 individual collections plus still standing models wearing amazing makeup (!!!), colors, fur, feathers, sequins and and and - no winking, no blinking... and all you get is a major presentation...

MBNYFW: Day 1 | outfit & shows

BCBG | Tadashi Shoji. First day of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York was overwhelming. Didn't know where to go neither what to do, shilly-shally and some weak knees, you know... thanks god the boy kept me great company to survive a day full of unfamiliar stuff... oh and just ignore my slightly weird twisting ankle (image below), had to give 'em a break, did manage my walk in heels... let's say quite good, trip-proof *ahaa* - was so happy to change them for the sights, though. Wore a sequin bling bling skirt by Flavio Castellani which I got for Christmas but never wore till ... you know, then, waited for the right occasion, I guess - pure eye candy, right?

The shows: well, no priority seating for me, but enjoyed 'em to the fullest! Loved the BCBG fur-ish sleeves and color blocking. ALSO, texture blocking's def the topic for the upcoming season...

TAXI

Homage. Oh so NYC girl! With a skinny cafe latte to the right and waving a taxi to the left. Super cool, huh? No just kidding, but that's New York! Like we all know it from the movies, it's no other, it's the city that doesn't sleep, the city where dreams are made of. Unfortunately, I'm heading back home today but I'll be back soon! That's for sure!!

Have a wonderful day!

xx, A.

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Fashiolista Party

Fun. The Fashiolista party was a-mazing! The Blind Barber as location was major, the music was dancy and the people were super nice. I even had the chance to talk to the Fashiolista team plus founders and met the big fish of blogosphere, who were actually really normal and talkative, no allures, very down-to-earth - positively surprising when I think of others... besides, it was also very interesting to meet the guys behind the blogs. More photos of the party are soon to come (we shot with the fisheye Lomo so I'm expecting really nice and weird stuff)... you can also check out the Fashiolista facebook page or their blog.

Oh and we also got a goodie bag when we left, sooo cute! Thanks again, Fashiolista!

PS: Happy Valentine's Day (you simple can't avoid that day in the US - Magnolia here we come!)

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MBNYFW: snapshots 1

NYC. Before the shows, during the shows, between the shows and after the shows. Kinda tough to accommodate fashion week, sightseeing and shopping, fall into bed deathly tired every night but you know what? I'm loving it! So let's call it free time stress haha does that even exist? Morally questionable! Anyways, NYC truly s got that energy that spills over, flows through your veins and wakes you early in the morning... and I'm off again, day 4 here I come!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xx, A.

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MBNYFW: Day 2 | outfit

sneak peek. The funny and less expected thing about fashion week is that a lot of photographers rush to you asking if they could take some photos and the following mini interview that includes: name, what do you do and what are you wearing today? The process is always the same and lasts only some seconds... all the more funny, when another and another and another photographer comes along and they all "shoot you" at the same time. 

So here some snapshots of the scene and a sneak peek of my 2nd Day Outfit - more to come soon!

Enjoy your weekends!

xx, A.

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MBNYFW '12: Day 1 | outfit

sneak peek. Just a quick post and I'm off again to attend some more shows. All I can say so far is that the event is beyond description. Imagine a huge run up of hipsters and "too-cool-for..." guys, bloggers, press and PR girls, boys and something in between - all at once - cameras flashing, free drinks, Barbie who takes care of the coats, business card swapping, welcoming, marveling, spotting the top of the top bloggers and celebrities, shows after shows, non stop gazing in amazement and running from Stage to Box to Theatre or the other way round and and and... - totally insane? yes! totally amazing? yes! excited about the next days to come? yes, yes, yes!  

But for now, a little sneak peek of my Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week '12 DAY 1 outfit.

Outfit: skirt Flavio Castellani, coat ZARA, bag Chanel

Have a wonderful day and stay tuned via Facebook or Twitter!

xx, A.

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