Price tags & Shopaholics

Hello, my name is Megan and I am a shopaholic. Yes, you must be thinking... how is she a shopaholic if she is broke but indeed I am! Thankfully my parents do not read my blog because if they did my phone would be ringing the second I post this and I would hear those dreadful words... "see your parents are always right" or "did you really need to buy that?"  I would always come from from the local Goodwill, my favorite consignment shop,and or expensive boutique with my amazing finds.  Whether cheap or expensive I always found a way to justify everything. Now that I am broke... yes, I am broke... my bank account statement today is $3.41 in checking and $4.22 in savings (please do not tell my grandparents) I still somehow find away to be cheap & chic. 

Shoppers today have a common misconception that you must wear designer labels to have status.  I once believed that too  but now I see the truth. It is one thing to have the latest designer fashions but another to look like rich b$tch... which I most certainly am  not. I admit I do have designer shoes, clothes, and accessories but they are not what define me (take in mind I either bought them at a vintage shop for way less that retail and even wholesale cost or had an employee discount). What defines me is my own sense of style and how I can combine things that cost one dollar with others that cost a couple hundred.  Now that I am  no longer making money I have to be more careful with how I spend it. Now instead of debating do I buy these Gucci shoes or that Chanel lipstick it's do I buy frozen cherries or ice cream which one is cheaper and which will last longer? My priorities have shifted. No longer do I live a care free lifestyle spending as I please... these days it is budget budget budget broke. None the less I am indeed a shopaholic.

 

My latest obsession are the vintage flea markets in Brooklyn where I just moved. Some of the items are antiques so they are more costly but there are some great bargains on vintage clothing and accessories.  Last time I was there it was one dollar shoes and $10 for a beautifully beaded cashmere sweater... it doesn't get much better than that! Also, my roommates and I have been looking for an old mannequin but have had horrible luck.  Some stores asking prices were $200-$400 and we even tried convincing the Goodwill to sell us theirs but they insisted it was not for sale. Luckily at this flea market was an old and I mean VERY old mannequin caught my eye. She was rusty, dirty, the perfect size form, and best of all she was only $3o. SHUT UP! I could not believe my ears. My sister Lauren and brother Justin bought if for me as a late birthday present. Thank goodness we did not cough up $200 for a mannequin in that rip off of a store... I would be even more broke than I am now.

Readers money will come later and so will success so just keep your head up. Sometimes it is hard and you have to make choices on how to spend your money and whether or not you should go to that bar or party tonight or even buy that great pair of Christian Dior shoes but HEY we all have to make sacrifices time and time again.  Designer goods are classic, memorable, and sometimes just make you giddy like a school girl but do we really need them all the time? Maybe try indulging in vintage goods, cupcake, or chai tea.  Pinching pennies can be tough and yes I have not saved a lot or even at all but I vow to pinch a little bit harder and indulge less.  

Shopaholics rich or poor pinch your pennies for something you really want and what I really want is Paris... so its time to PINCH THEM PENNIES even if it means running into traffic to get that quarter or dime for my wallet. Good luck readers and remember to look both ways before dodging for that stray cash in the road :) 

Cause you got to have FAITH

Fashion week is the time for designers to showcase their collections to viewers in hopes of "making it big", getting their opinion/ view out there, and sharing their passion with the world. Designer Manuel De La Cruz  launched his Spring 2010 at the Altman Building in Chelsea with a line of viewers out the door waiting to get in. Industry professionals, friends, and followers all waited patiently in a little drizzle... not caring about their hair, makeup, or designer shoes the only thing on everyones mind was, Faith.

This years collection was called "Faith" and I had the opportunity to ask Manuel what was his inspiration behind the collection. His response was:

The inspiration came from my grandmother and her devotion to her religion, she's a catholic lady who believes in saints and I remembered when I was a kid she had all these images and statues of saints in her house and with my family used to visit churches all around Guatemala, as a child I was afraid of those statues... hahaha... but then I started to appreciate their art and started to take a look of people and their faith... the reason I call the collection faith.

It became apparent as the first model strutted down the runway that these clothes were impeccable and designed by someone who knew both the man and woman's figure. Details on the clothing, such as beaded crosses, shimmered as the models moved, along with their layered silver rosaries.   The colors were dark and clean and gave the looks a classy, sexy, sophisticated,and mysterious edge.  Here is what Manuel had to say about his color selection:

I've never been a color person... I feel very secure in neutral palettes and my favorite is black, so I had to translate this into my selection and became a very natural and neutral tones, beiges, gray, khaki, white, off white, black with little touches of red and green.

On goers left the show smiling, clapping, and wanting more so I had to ask him... WHAT IS NEXT FOR MANUEL DE LA CRUZ?

I'm already working on two projects, a line of high end tee shirts: Using as well very natural and neutral palette of colors with contrasting black images in silk jerseys, very soft and chic. The inspiration it's an evolution from my spring summer 10 collection and we are planning to have it available online in march next year.

Of course I'm working on my fall 10. I'm getting my inspiration from the book Daniel from the Bible, so, it's as well an evolution from faith.... sounds very religious but also there's a part of this collection where I'm being inspired by Mayan Art... well, I'm still working on my research and images and putting everything together, but for sure the lines of the collection will remain the same, will focus on outwear, tailored suits, cocktail dresses and maybe .... if the time is right add evening gowns to the collection.

Well... needless to say i am ECSTATIC for Manuel's up coming tees and collection and cannot wait to see his vision of Mayan art paired with Christian faith! I have never been a religious follower or firm believer in one particular religion... I have however always had an appreciation and understanding for others views on God and faith. I think it is safe to say that I have found my own religion. That religion is Manuel De La Cruz!!!

Runway photos by Patrick Scudder

Tickle My Fancy Rebecca Taylor!

Gone are the days of punk rock princesses and prissy pre-madonnas.... it's the age of hellooooo gorgeous! In a stunning and too sweet for words fashion week presentation, Rebecca Taylor has single handedly captured girls around the world. Let's face it men even want to wear her clothing! For Spring Summer 2010 her collection consisted of her signature flirty prints paired with figure flattering silhouettes that any body type could wear and feel feminine. This runway show just screamed cotton candy summer chic to me whether you were strolling down your hometown sidewalk or city block.  

The color pallet she selected was trendy, girly, and above all eye catching. The harmonious combination of bright colors and bold mismatch print shoes paired with washed out animal print and oceanside nautical stripes created an esthetically pleasing affect. Many designers have the ability to catch celebrities, stylists, industry professionals, and on goers eyes but it takes a great talent to send down a collection where every piece is perfect with great price points to match.... not to mention the ability to get people to say "I want that and that and that and that! I want everything!" In this case ladies and gentlemen, I do want everything! There is not one thing I would not wear from this collection and believe me I am extremely picky when it comes to my clothing selection.

I love the fact that many pieces look vintage inspired, dainty, delicate, and edgy all at the same time. The styling in this collection was impeccable with not an accessory or hair strand out of place. All I have to say is BRAVO!!!! 

photos from Style.com

The Mission: Secure Dream Job!

Bloggers today was the day when I discovered exactly what I want to do with my life. I have been awaiting the day that I graduate for many years…always wanting the time to fly by so I would be closer to walking across the stage to receive my diploma with that black cap and pink tassel on my head.  Well… the days have flown by and I am months away from graduating AH!!! Now has come the time where I sit up in bed night after night pondering… “now what am I going to do with my life?” No more homework…teachers….classes….tests… dreadful math course. It is as if they were all a figment of my imagination.. ( Well maybe not just yet since I am in the middle of midterms…)

Growing up with a learning disability I was always told “do your best and try your hardest”.  It was as if some people just didn’t think I could do it. Sometimes I didn’t even think I could do it.  It was always harder for me to memorize historical facts and mathematical equations but easy when I came to dance routines, theatre lines, and song lyrics. At one point I was told not to even apply for jobs like Gucci because they wouldn’t hire a college student and I should just focus on getting a summer babysitting job. Well, I accomplished that goal and since then it has been uphill but an amazing climb.

Today I met a woman who has the job I have dreamed of and embodies all the things I love and have a passion for.  This position requires teaching (something I have always been passionate about due to my learning disability), it involves fashion, textiles, product development, customer service, creativity, and most of all the passion to learn and be taught.  This job also requires traveling around the world teaching employees of Chanel the products, price points, brand loyalty, customer service, and education.  This individual resides in Paris (HELLO! YES PARIS!) and is in charge of traveling to the ends of the world where all Chanel boutiques stand. It is my mission, my goal to secure an internship with her and travel my last semester of school as her assistant  and hopefully work with her full-time.

Not only would this experience be life changing but this is the first time where I think, no I know, that this job would be perfect for me. WISH ME LUCK READERS because this is where my future begins and my career starts!

Bon Voyage! 

Coco Before Chanel

It is not uncommon for women to be successful, iconic, and mesmerizing... what is uncommon is that very few woman leave a mark like Gabrielle Chanel.  She has left the world with a legacy, a brand that is forever graced with her elegance, charm, and wit. Do you know that the Chanel number 5 perfume is the most popular fragrance in the world and that every 30 seconds a bottle is sold? Coco never married, never had any children, and left her business to the ones who loved her... her loyal clients. 

On September 25th the new Sony movie: Coco Before Chanel comes out and I encourage you all to go and see it. I was fortunate enough to have the chance to preview you it this week at the Sony Paris Theatre in midtown Manhattan.  As I sat in the dark along with other Chanel employees I watched the early life of Gabrielle, played by the stunning and talented actress, Audrey Tautou.  Coco's life was never easy, not even when she became a great success. Her business survived during two wars even when her heart was breaking for the one she loved. This film is remarkable and allows all viewers from industry professionals to students to appreciate the work, the art, and passion Chanel had.  The music in this film is what pulls everything together and you will leave singing a song Coco once sang until your roommate wants to kill you... like mine. 

This film also coincides with Karl's new Chanel Cruise 2010 Collection.  You will see how Coco changed the way in which women dressed and how men perceived them. In the 2010 Cruise Collection you will see Venetian inspired clothing, sailor stripes, classic Chanel Tweeds, and of course the little black dress. 

I hope you all enjoy the film as much as I did and please share with me your likes and dislikes about it once you see it

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Apprécier le film ! (Enjoy the movie!)

Paris Fever

This is all my roommates fault ( Yes, you Maya!)... not only did she inspire me to write a blog but over brunch with her and our other roommate May... we discussed the possibility of going to Paris over holiday break. NOW not only am I already a broke college student and intern living off loans and an allowance from my parents ( yup an allowance... don't get too excited its only for food to survive) but now I am looking to somehow scrap up enough money by December to make this trip happen and some how manage to pay for my monthly metro card, school supplies, and occasional must have fashion finds. Could life get anymore difficult?!

Readers... I know life is hard whether its your family, love, school, financial, or health BUT I think it is important to remember that despite all of the worlds turning issues we as individuals MUST live out our dreams and find ways to make them happen. Recently I decided to make a few adjustments in my life... and I have decided to make all my personal dreams/goals a reality. It is exploring, learning, and experiencing new things that makes us who we are and who we are destined to be. I know I love Paris and want to travel, get an amazing job, be happy, and yes, of course be successful. Here are some pictures of my apartment so you all can see not only my style but how truly Paris obsessed I am.

Cheers to Paris!