Belladonna Marie

With less than two weeks away, I have to blog about the biggest event that is happening in my life! I am about to launch my line, for the first time, in front of some of Portland's very own VIPs, also known as my close friends.

Having kept Belladonna Marie and all that it entails on the DL for the last 9 months, I cannot wait to finally show it off to the public. This collection is definitely a reflection of myself - classic and beautiful.

The launch party is going to be amazing and I can't wait to celebrate with all my pals. June 4th...here you come! Get ready for posts of the party to be finding their way onto the blog, and into social networks shortly after the release....

See you at the party!

Seattle FASHION Week?

Paying over $70 for a general admission standing ticket, my friend and I both were excited for a thrilling fashion show. As we walked from our car to the restaurant for a pre-show bite, a glimpse of the red carpet made us almost giddy. Unfortunately, that could have been the highlight of the evening. Thanks to the Vera wang show, it was not.

Without going into too much detail, Vera Wang was a definite show-stopper. Being the primary reason we came to the show in the first place, she did not dissapoint. From the moment the loud, rhythmic music came on, and the first gown graced the runway, we finally saw some well deserved jaw-drops.

Her mix of tailored satin and torn tulle showed off the perfect blend of soft and hard that I definitely appreciate. Shoulders back, chests proud, the dresses wore the models, celebrating classic beauty and modern edge. Every step was attune to an instrumental, gothic melody paired with a bit of funky r&b, created the most amazing mix of perfection. Again, the Vera Wang show made it all worthwhile.

I would like to give it up to SFW for appreciating women for being voluptuous. This was one of the only fashion shows where I saw thighs, butts and boobs - that's right. It was a show for all of us who know that real women are not a size two. Thank you!

Mercury Madness

A week ago, today, my friends and I rocked it out at the annual, Spring Mercury Fashion show. I must say the people of Portland's Mercury know how to put on a show!

Some of my favorite designers of the night were Liza Rietz, (liza-rietz.etsy.com), Janeane Marie, (janeane-marie.com), and Isaac Hers (phloxpdx.com). Each of these designers understand their niche and remain true to that. I actually felt cheated when only 4 looks of Janeane marie were showcased. I turned to my friends with a "was that it?".

Although all of the designers had something great to offer the audience, I believe the one that made us all think was Adam Arnold. Totally unexpected, we watched in awe as models came out in sleeping-bag-like apparel and slurpees! That's right - we all had to take a double. With laughs and appreciation, he definitely made a point. As noted in the program, our society has fallen in love with comfort! Comfort food, comfort activities and yes - comfort fashion.

All said and done, Mercury provided a great night to enjoy my gal pals and speak fashion. Because that, my readers, is really what it's all about.

Sunday Mornings...

Sundays are special days, to me. Most Sundays are special in and of themselves, because for must of us we don't have to work. Although this is not entirely true for me, I at least get to see my husband on these days.

Last Sunday was Mother's day!! Being a mom for almost 2 years now, I was extremely appreciated yesterday; dressed in a distressed denim mini and a royal blue, ring-collared tank, I felt like a beautiful, yet comfortable mommy.

Sunday is a day for relaxing, celebrating the weekend and embracing the chance to be with the people you love. Where fashion is concerned, however, for most people all sense of sheek goes out the window. There is nothing entirely wrong with this. I love seeing people out in there yoga pants and windbreakers. I must admit, thankfully, that Mother's day brought out the fashionista in everyone.

Everywhere I went, I saw women celebrating themselves on the most special Sunday of the year. Floral, strapless dresses, Designer denim and strapless, flowy blouses, and more than any garment strutting Mommy Sunday was the maxi dress. And why not - having the most flattering cut and extremely breathable material, mom's dream about garments like this.

Sundays are great. Use them not only for relaxing, but also for showing off your style. Happy Sundays!

Portland's NYC

Whenever I think about Portland's fashion dynamics, I relate to NYC. Of course Portland has an incredibly unique flava' and style, but in some ways I see how it mirrors NYC.

For instance, last week I invited my friends to go to this great fashion show (Mercury) in Portland. The first thing one must decide on when doing anything 'fashion' is, "What will I wear?". Considering my taste to be classic and sophisticated, maybe even Manhattan-worthy, I thought and thought about what I should wear to stand out. I finally decided on this mini black dress, with modern bows and twists. Topping it off with tights and wedges, and I was happy with the completed look. Or so I thought....

Most fashion events I have been involved with occur on the west side. However, this event was happening on the East side. The more I thought about it, the more my fashion mind began redirecting my choice of garments into something entirely different.

When it comes to Portland, this is how it breaks down - NYC style. The Pearl district, where I consider home, is Manhattan. The SW side is like NYU - intellectual, casual and sporty. The eastside is like Brooklyn. Edge is everyone's middle name; be prepared to rock individuality. And then there are the suburbs - New Jersey.

In the end, I turned in my Manhattan-Pearl district classic dress, wedges and headbands, for a great pair of Brooklyn-Eastside tights, stilettos and a leather belt. Diversity is important, but in Portland, understanding what side of the water you are on, during a great fashion event, may be even more. Trust me on this one...I love rocking personal style, but wearing the wrong accessory in the wrong part of town could cause a staring fest...or maybe more!

Thank God for indecision and fashion insights!

Sherlock was a Sure-Lock

Charisma, intellect, wit and adventure are just a handful of great reasons to fall in love with the new adaptation of World Literature's classic, "Sherlock Holmes". Full of unexpected characters, reinvented irony, amazing plot line and fabulous fashion, it will not disappoint.

Without giving too much away, it is the movie to watch. Inspired by old-world meets new, I may be reinventing my Fall 2011 line. Women in classic suits, men in top hats, it is all so amazingly smashing!

See it and tell me what you think.

Trend Bandwagon

Have you ever seen an item in a store and felt like, "I have to have that!"? Believe me, we all have. More often than not, once you get home, those garments fall into the category of 'trendy' and are most likely worn once or not at all. That's the thing about trends - they are trends. Trend, by definition is something that is passing, it is only going to be around for a short time. Of course, in fashion, companies bank on trends, but no worries there are ways around them.

I happen to detest trends. Anything that can't be worn either for a year or a lifetime, is not worth buying. The trouble with that is, most of the items out on the market are created for a specific trend, or created to only last a little while. With these issues at hand, it is extremely difficult to find items that actually add value to your daily wardrobe.

Don't fear - I have a solution. If you are like me and want to invest in timeless, lasting pieces, this is what you need to do - First, when you are deciding on which stores to shop at, think about who their customer is. Are they reaching out towards young teens, ever-changing hormonals? Or, do they look for a customer with a more appreciative garment palate?

Second, think about your shape and style. Don't purchase something just because it looks good on the model. Embrace your shape - you are only going to look sexier by doing so. Third, stare at yourself in the mirror, while wearing it, and ask yourself, "Could I wear this two years from now?". With these three steps in mind, you are well on your way to a wardrobe that is not only stylish and classic, but also an investment that you will continue to receive big returns on, over time.

Jump off the trend bandwagon and hit the road of classic, timelessness.