Studs, Leather and Destiny - The Story of My Badgley Mischka Handbag

          You know that feeling when you fall in love with an unattainable dress or pair of shoes? You just can't afford it, or at least not without killing your bank account, but you can't stop thinking about it. Once you leave the store you keep wondering if someone's snatched it up yet or if it's just sitting where you left it, waiting for you to come back for it. Well, that was me about a month ago! During a TJMaxx shopping trip, I'd found the most beautiful Badgley Mischka handbag in black leather with gold studs and hardware. I was in awe of how soft the leather felt and how perfect the bag was. It was down from it's original department store price, but was still out of my budget. Reluctantly, I put it back and settled for a quick snapshot to remember it by. A few weeks later, I found it again, same price, same disappointment.

            Yesterday, I went back to TJMaxx once more to search for this bag of my dreams, in hopes that it went on clearance. My heart began to sink when it wasn't on display where it was the week before. But after a little digging, I saw those gold studs peeking from behind a couple less-than-average handbags and grabbed it before anyone could take it away from me. It was on sale so with my Christmas gift cards, and some help from my generous parents, it was a realistic purchase. I was finally united with this bag that had been on my mind for over a month! 

             I am now happy to say that this handbag is a part of my treasured collection and I'll be bringing it along with me to New York Fashion Week in a few days!

Prom

   I've been so excited to tell you all about prom! We had it on a boat and the theme was masquerade. I took my two cousins (and best friends) as my dates and we made our masks to match our dresses.  It was a blast going with friends because we could dance the night away and take lots of silly pictures...and we did just that!

I've been dying to talk about my dress, but I wanted it to be a surprise until prom... 

 

   This, ladies and gentlemen, is a Badgley Mischka gown! The best part is that I got this $785 dress for only $275 on Gilt Groupe (it really is the best place on earth...rr...umm...online)! I was elated when I found this dress was in my price range and bought it before it could sell out. I never even tried on any other dresses to see what style dress I wanted or what colors I liked...all I knew was that I wanted something elegant (away from typical poofy "prom" dresses) and that I would be the luckiest girl around if I could get my hands on this stunning dress! I never would've thought I'd be able to wear my favorite couture designers to my prom! Mark Badgley and James Mischka must have designed it with a fairy godmother by their side, because...

...I won Prom Princess! 

 

Thank you, Mark and James!

Currently in Love With...

...this dress from the Carolina Herra

Pre-Fall Collection,

Nina Ricci's Pre-Fall Collection,

Galliano's masterpieces for Christian Dior's Pre-Fall Collection,

Johnny Depp's cover on GQ,

the Marc Jacobs Stam Bag,

and these outfits by three stylish lookbook icons.

   It's only a week away from Valentine's Day so I've listed the things that currently have my heart. There are some really great Pre-Fall Collections that have surfaced and I had to show you some of my favorites. Dior's totally captivated me (I couldn't pick just a few looks so I put up practically the whole collection)! I love, love, love the 1940's look, mixing both the glamorous gowns and fur with leather jackets and army helmets. It shows both sides of the WWII era in a very wearable way.

   This month Johnny Depp was on the cover of GQ. He really is the only man on earth who can get older and still be just as sexy! I have seriously contemplated subscribing to GQ because there's always one of my favorite guys on the cover! One time I saw Channing Tatum in an issue while I was at the grocery store. I didn't have money with me, so I almost tore out the pages and made a mad dash for it!

   My current obsession, accessory wise, is the Marc Jacobs "Stam" bag. Named after one of my favorite models, Jessica Stam, it comes in both normal and mini sizes and would definitely be big enough to fit my life in! I always have to carry a huge purse at school in order to fit all my make-up, books (not text books, but reading books), pencils, and random stuff you probably wouldn't even want to know about. The bag I use now has already had enough, after only one semester. I jammed so much in it, the zipper broke!

   I can spend hours on LOOKBOOK.nu, looking at all the marvelous outfits! There are so many that I wish were my outfits instead. I also envy the serious photographers who use really nice cameras and have those perfect looking pictures. I love my camera, but I think it's getting a little old. The quality of my pictures don't come out as well as they used to, and I think it would help to have better flash options. Maybe for my birthday I'll ask for another camera...something more advanced, while I'll still keep the one I have for fun pictures with friends and family.

P.S.
I ordered my prom dress on gilt groupe last week! I'm so excited for it to arrive! It's a navy, brocade Badgley Mischka gown. My favorite part is this really pretty train that cascades down the back. I know I had a navy dress last year, but it's quite a lot different. I think I just have a thing for navy dresses!
Look for pictures in May!

Spring 2010 Runway Review: Fresh and Classic at Badgley Mischka

The first post I ever wrote was on Badgley Mischka's 2009 spring collection, so I decided to kick-off my Spring 2010 runway reviews with their classy ready-to-wear line. Many of the looks had loose or bunched up fabrics accompanied by cinched waistlines, which in my opinion, is the best way to go for a simple, chic look. There was some experimenting with sleeves that I thought gave originality to otherwise plain tops. My favorite part of their collection is that they emphasized necklines with gorgeous, big necklaces. The bathing suits had a relaxing, beachy feel that also reflected with natural make-up and pulled back hair. Overall, not a lot going on, but a fresh and simple look is always good for spring.

My predictions: I didn't see much new trend potential, but rather repeats from fall's runways. Although classy is always in, there wasn't a lot that I haven't already seen.

 

Mark Badgley and James Mischka