Fashion Week Favs

I would love to go to Paris Fashion Week or jet set off to Milan for shows, and can't say I haven't been enviously eying flights from NYC but I was honored & privileged to attend NYFW right here in my own backyard.

Plus, I love American Designers! Aside from Moschino, all my favorite designers were made in the usa: DVF, Coach, Alice + Olivia, Tory Burch and Tibi! So I guess it's only natural that my favorite collection and fashion take aways came from NYFW. So buckle up, cause today's post is half show recap and half trend tracker as I break down some of my favorite trends from NYFW.

AZ >> The Farm

I'm so exited to welcome back Katrina 

for another Arizona-esque post, take it away Katrina...

The Farm at South Mountain is by far my favorite place in the Valley. The ten acre farm is ensconced in the middle of all the urban clamor of Phoenix. It is a wonderful place to smugly wear spring dresses and sandals in February while most of the country is dealing with the fallout of having actual seasons.

As the name indicates, there is indeed a farm here, Maya's Farm. Here you will find evolving crops and have the opportunity to gardening classes or learn to grow your own produce.

The Farm has three different resturants: Morning Glory Café for breakfast, The Farm Kitchen for lunch and Quiescence for dinner. My favorite is The Farm Kitchen for a lunch in the pecan groves.

The sprawling facility has an artist studio, a healing spa and boutique in addition to being an event venue.

If the place couldn't get any more charming, the offer an array of activities like open air markets, yoga in the groves and a host of classes.

The Farm really is a perfect refuge from the noise and energy of the city. Being there harkens a sense of connectivity with name. The best part is it always makes me keenly aware the importance of being conscientious of our food sources.

While Kartina was getting in touch with mother nature, I'm living in a concrete jungle: 30 block walks to work and eating takeout every night - I literally haven't ben to the super market in months, and now I just said supermarket, what year is this, 1964? - Although I would rather be poor & miserable living in NYC than rich & happy anywhere else (where are my priorities) posts like today fill me with nostalgia for my former home. Cheers to you AZ and all your outdoor space ... you stay classy Arizona!

I hope you enjoyed Katrina 2nd CMC contribution, I'm sure you're all as obsessed with her now as I have been for years... Anyways, Katrina be back next month for another AZ post, stay tuned. Until then, learn more about Katrina here & see her other here
XO Courtney

Boyfriend + Bow

I'm continually amazed that I actually wear jeans now, who am I!? To give you some context, until recently I would hardly ever wear jeans and only owned three pairs: A polka dot pair, a pink pair and a slouchy boyfriend pair I would wear instead of sweats. Since, I've added a coated pair and these ripped boyfriend-y jeans I snagged for seven dollars on sale at Wetseal to the collection. I don't usually shop Wet Seal, but was lured in by the promise of a superhero graphic tee in the window (everyone needs a superhero graphic tee), but left with distressed denim instead!

Ripped Boyfriend Jeans (Similar here + 25% off or here for under $30) // Control Sector Sweatshirt c/o // Blue Zara Shoes (Similar under $50, Similar) // Coach Hair Scarf (Spring patterns here or leopard here) // Karen Walker Sunnies (similar/cheaper here) // Wet&Wild Lipstick // Gold Link Taylor Morgan Bracelet (also in silver) // H&M Rings // C.wonder Bracelet (similar for only $11) // Radiant Orchid Crossbody c/o Francescas (love this one)

My sweatshirt is actually a men's style from one of my new favorite menswear lines, Control Sector. I teamed up with them for NYFW to attend their closing show & after party. I'm now a firm believer that your guy's slouchy sweatshirt can be a girl's bestfriend! But with every boyfriend-y I suggest pairing it with girlie accessories to keep it feminine - so basically, just add bows. I went with a gold tassel bracelet, leopard ponytail scarf & my bow-tie Zara pumps! Oh, and in honor of man-crush-monday, here's some more Boyfriend-worthy Wants :]

Images by Claire Eliza see more from her here // full story on Control Sector here

XO Courtney

MBFW // Closing Show

Was fashion week really only seven days ago? It feels like a lifetime but left me feeling so inspired! I even ended up cleaning out my closet and getting rid of HALF of my clothes - more on that later. Last Thursday, I attended the closing show for Mercedes Benz fashion Week, FTL Moda + Art Loves Fashion featuring some of my new favs, Control Sector & Altaf Maaneshia with my favorite photographer Claire Eliza.

Altaf Maaneshia

The First (and sweetest) Pakistani designer to show at MBFW

Images by Claire Eliza // Full Altaf Maaneshia story here

Control Sector

Tailored street-style (menswear) with a twist - every piece makes a statement! Plus the Control Sector designers are so cool and the models aren't too bad to look at, I always say yes to man candy!

Images by Claire Eliza // Full Control Sector story here

Call me selfish, but I love buying my boyfriend things that I can steal - Where do you think the "boyfriend" Jean trend started, some girl wised up... and stole them from her man! - So when I'm looking for man-gifts I think of him first, but wouldn't completely hate the idea of potentially stealing his new goodies!

For today's look, I borrowed from the boys and channeled my masculine side in a Control Sector sweatshirt & hat. They would make a great gift for any guy, and a great "boyfriend" piece for you to steal! I've been manning up lots lately, and wearing my guy's (Paris) sweaters all season (here and again here), but I always add my own girlie touch! This was no exception, I dressed it up in true Courtney fashion with lady-like powder blue pumps (last seen here) & a bold vampire lip!  

Hat & Sweatshirt - c/o Control Sector

Bag: Coach // Pants: Current/Elliot (also here) // Shoes: Zara // Rings: H&M

Rings: H&M // Lips: Wet&Wild // Sunnies: Karen Walker (similar here)

More of my MBFW Moments:

Michael Kors // Vivienne Tam

Street Style with Claire Eliza // or See them all here

or see more from Claire Eliza Photography

XO Courtney

Little Boy Blue

I've been borrowing from the boys more than I would care to admit lately. This act of rebellion is a bit out of character for me, seeing as I've been twirling since age two - well despite my tragic tom-boy phase, read all about my youthful lapse of judgement here. So for today's inspiration, I paired boyish charm with menswear silhouette and the essence of Queen B (Blaire Waldorf) for a classic look that straddles gender lines.

Booties: C.wonder (similar here or splurge on these) // Skort: Zara (similar under $25) // Top&Bow: Asos (similar top here or just the bow here) Bag: Coach (with silver hardware here) // Coat: Zara // Sunnies: Karen Walker (similar here) // Lips: Ruby Woo by Mac // Rings: H&M

I don't know what I did before the Zara skort. I thought this obsession would die when summer ended, but I have just found myself wearing it more and more... and more. It's the middle of February, yet I still wore my white one over black tights this weekend.... what's wrong with me? The only reasonable explanation is love, I am head-over-heels for the sassy skort - in black, white or blue. But since I was sick of feeling sporty, (my boyfriend does a cheer & makes fun of me when I wear it) I married my skirt-obsession with tailored pieces and a tuxedo vest to dress it up! What do you think, menswear-chic? Images by Claire Eliza

We also teamed up for NYFW, See all of the NYFW X Claire Eliza posts

Loving the location? These photos were taken next door to my "sitcom hangout", Tea & Sympathy! Read all about it here.

XO Courtney

NYFW // Michael Kors

I'm still recovering from my first fashion week experience.
Luckily, I had most of the week off - I don't know how bloggers do it with full time jobs #FWcoma. So today I'm sharing my outfits & the highlights from Michael Kors Fall 2014! Plus I'll clue you in on my secret for keeping warm(er) in a midi skirt ... when it's 18 degrees out, burr!

I'm donuts over you

Happy Valentines Day, Dolls!

I hope you're celebrating somehow and your day is filled with lots of love!

Skirt: H&M (love this one, or similar here with pockets) // Tee: Old Navy // Sunnies: Urban (similar) // Heels: J.crew // Bangles: Kate Spade // Ring: Vintage // Lips: Ruby Woo

As you may know, I am 95 percent gluten free since learning about my allergy (boo) but I had to poke fun of my current situation by sending out card-friendly valentines via snail mail!

 And for your entertainment: some donut bloopers:

More to love - Check out yesterdays "Be Mine" post!

Wishing you all a very love-filled day & a happy weekend!

XO Courtney