3.1 Phillip Lim for Target

My Instagram feed was blowing up this week with probably definitely the most exciting collaboration Target has ever launched. The full look book of 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target was released today on Target Style's Facebook page here. I have to say, I am so glad I asked for a Target gift card for my birthday, because this collection is going to takeover the majority of my clothes budget for the rest of the year. Leather jackets, trench coats, sweaters, shift dresses and shoulder bags dominate the collection and appearing from the pictures, could stand in his runway collections. I can't wait to see the pieces up close! September 15 can't come soon enough. 

 Just a few of my favorites. But it's really hard to pick even four! What pieces are you excited to get your hands on?

xoxo, Courtney

All pictures from Target Style's Facebook page.

Sacramento Fashion Week

Photo Credit

Last week was Sacramento Fashion Week and I got the opportunity to attend one of the designer showcases, as well as two events earlier in the week. On Monday a group of my co workers and I went to the Fashion Forum, where a panel of industry insiders gave insightful information about the fashion industry and the perspective they have in the industry. Panelists included ANTM winner Naima Mora, a casting agent, a fashion industry lawyer, and the CEO of The Stylist Online, among others. This was especially interesting for someone like myself, who is fascinated by all aspects of an industry, and all the different career paths you can take. 

Tuesday we attended a Social Media workshop with a different set of panelists explaining how they use social media in their business and how we can use it too. The best thing about this workshop was being introduced to so many incredible business resources in the Sacramento area! I had no idea all these great people existed, and trust me, they are now on my "Follow" list!!

Photo Credit: Steven Williams

 Friday was the first designer showcase and that was the night our group attended. There was a total of 8 designers that showcased their collections, which allowed the audience to view a real range in styles and design. Although on a much smaller level than the New York's and Paris', I was so excited to attend the show and support designers on a local level. For a more in depth article of the two night's showcases, see this article by Sacramento Press. I can't wait until next year!

Photo Credit: Steven Williams

Superbowl Ads and Appetizers

Football is my least favorite sport to watch, but since moving in with my boyfriend a year ago I have been forced against my will to watch it. But luckily for us, and my boyfriend's sake, his favorite team the 49'ers made it to the Superbowl, but as we know from yesterday, didn't take the top prize. I love getting together with a big group and enjoying the festivities, the food, the beer, the company. I also love watching the Superbowl ads. As a marketing student, I like grading the best and worst and what company spent their millions the best.

Overall, the ads weren't stellar, and over than CBS promoting their own shows, the ads only played once so they really had to make an impression. My favorite ads in no particular order are below. 

1. Volkswagen "Get in. Get Happy."

2. Taco Bell "Viva Young"

3. NFL Network "Leon Sandcastle"

And the award for the most awkward and uncomfortable ad of the afternoon goes to Calvin Klein. And yes, I'm going to post it so you can see it again. 

Now on to the most important stuff, the grub! At our Superbowl party we had the usual things; pizza, beer, chips, dip, wings, and sweets. I decided to contribute an easy Stuffed Mushrooms recipe I found. It was super easy, just prepping the mixture and pulling the stems from the mushrooms without breaking them, took the most time. Luckily I baked them on a sheet pan with raised sides, as water from the mushrooms leaked onto the pan creating a pool. These were so addicting, and perfect for any occasion like a party or potluck where you have to bring a side dish. 

Image and recipe from Chef in Training Blog

Find the recipe here
   

H&M to Start Recycling Program

I recently came across this article from one of my favorite fashion blogs, College Fashion. They stated that H&M is going to initiate an in store recycling program called iCollect starting February 2013. 

The program works as follows: for every bag of clothes you donate, you get a voucher for a discount on your next visit. It is not known what each bag will give you in terms of a discount at this time. 

The purpose of the program is to use the donated clothing and recycle it into new clothing. The retailer hopes to only use sustainable cotton by the year 2020. 

For someone like me who goes through her clothes once a month (or every other month) and just sells to consignment, I may use this only a few times a year. I would probably give the items that consignment wouldn't take. However, if you are a person who totally does a wardrobe re-vamp, this would be perfect. Depending on the voucher cap you can receive, you may be able to get a steep discount on your new wardrobe! 

Will you be donating your clothes to the iCollect program?    

Would You Wear...A $55,000 Backpack?

Well, at first read, of course not! $55,000 for a purse is absurd. That's a car. A really nice one at that. It's also the price of a house in some states. And then you look at the above picture and think I'm joking. But sadly, I am not. 

The Row, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's high end fashion line created 12 "limited edition backpacks made of black crocodile patent leather" - and here's the kicker - "adorned with prescription pills and colorful circles". REALLY? Do they think we are fools? Well apparently 12 people will be! 

I hate how sometimes fashion, (and other industries included) feel like they have to out do each other and come out with the most over indulgent product (. Yet, people always fall for it. It's so sad. But, the best comment I saw was "there is so such thing as a $55,000 purse, just an idiot who is willing to pay that much for one".

So, money aside, would you wear this crocodile purse adorned with prescription pills? I can't even type it without cringing... 

Original Article   

Target + Neiman Marcus: A Match Made in Fashion Heaven

Fashion mavens, the day has finally arrived! Target has teamed up with legendary department store Neiman Marcus and 24 designers to create over 50 "gifts" at more reasonable prices. Some of the items are available online or in store. The items range from housewares, items for your pet, beauty gifts, kids gifts, and of course..clothes! 

Target has had it's fair share of collaborations with designers in the past. You may remember the recent collaboration with Missoni which crashed the Target website and caused utter chaos in stores across the nation! Other collaborations include: William Rast, Luella Bartley and Rodarte (to name a few). 

Some of the designers in the collaboration (and my personal favorites) include:

• alice + olivia
• Brian Atwood
• Derek Lam
• Diane Von Furstenberg
• Marchesa
• Marc Jacobs
• rag + bone
• Tory Burch

I have previewed the collection and I am a little bummed to not see a pair of Brian Atwood pumps (his signature) for a killer price or a gorgeous Marchesa dress for women (there are two for girls).   

Here are a few of the pieces I have my eye on:

alice + olivia luggage

Proenza Schouler sweatshirt

Tracy Reese shirt

Lela Rose lace top

This collaboration had me thinking, what are your dream collaborations? 

Mine would have to be Michael Kors + Target, Victoria Beckham for Dorothy Perkins, Chanel for H&M, Marc Jacobs for H&M, Elie Saab for Nordstrom...wishful thinking. 

* Edit: I went to my local target on Dec 1 to look at the items in person and I added the Lela Rose lace top. It was gorgeous in person and was so light and the fabric was so gentle (if that makes sense). The sweatshirt was a hi-low type, and I would definitely buy it in a large/extra large so it would be oversize and comfy. However, the alice + olivia luggage was quite small for the $180 price tag, but still cute! 

H&M eCommerce: A Little Too Late?

My day was MADE yesterday when I found out via Twitter that one of my favorite retailers, H&M was finally launching their eCommerce business, allowing consumers to purchase online instead of the stores. I think I can talk for every fashion junkie when I say, we have been waiting for this, for a long time.

The company blames security issues as to why they haven't started online commerce yet in the US (they allow eCommerce in several European countries), as well as a sluggish economy. The company's biggest competitor, Zara (amazeballs) already has an eCommerce presence in the United States and abroad. Sidenote: In college I did a case study on Zara in my Operations Management class on their logistics, and let me tell you, Zara does not mess around. They know what they are doing.

So to make a long story short, is H&M too late to get on the eCommerce bandwagon? Do you think they could have benefited if they launched this platform in arguably the biggest market FIRST for a competitive advantage?

Regardless, I am stoked for the option of H&M online shopping!

H&M Article