Last week to my pleasant surprise I was featured on Rebecca Minkoff’s blog “Minkette” carrying her red-orange ostrich MAC bag from my latest trip to New York (shot by the wonderful Lydia Hudgens). I’m incredibly honored and thankful that the RM team liked the way I styled the bag! Check out some of the new arrivals for Spring – I already have my eye on some of the woven printed ones :). Happy Shopping!

{New Spring nail polishes | Backwards sweaters | Hermes Brooklyn Flea find | White nails}

{Mustache cookie | Kiley and Katie at the Brooklyn Flea | NYFW with Katie and Caitlin | Cookies from Chelsea Market}

{Inside Chelsea Market | Dinner in NY | Blogger’s Night Out | Yosi Samra flats}

{St. Germain | Coachella tickets | Downtown Chicago | Truffle parmesan popcorn}

{Zoya purpleish gray polish | Armswag | Crazy amazing Italian heels | Essie ‘A Crewed Interest’ + glitter}

{St. Patrick’s Day celebrations | Texas gals in town | Stripes and sequin outfit | Chicago skyline from the beach}

I’ve found myself living on Instagram lately – it’s the best and easiest way for me to share what has been going on. Lots happening and much to catch up on soon! Spring has hit Chicago and I’m loving it. I forget that this season exists after living in Texas for so long. I’m experimenting with lots of skirts and converse looks at work thanks to some inspo from Jules. Hope everyone had a fun and safe St. Patty’s day!

Style Bistro at NYFW

Thanks to my sweet friend Modern Eve, I discovered my colorful outfit from Day 1 of NYFW on Style Bistro! Thanks for the mention, xo!

Zara Sweater worn backwards (similar)  |  BCBG Max Azria bandage skirt |  French Connection peacoat (similar)  |  Nordstrom diamond tights |  ASOS tuxedo ankle boots  |  Rebecca Minkoff MAC ostrich bag (worn as a clutch)  |  Vintage, BCBGeneration, H&M, Nordstrom bracelets and rings

I had the extreme pleasure of shooting on my first full day at New York Fashion Week with Lydia Hudgens, a friend of many friends and a new friend of mine who is incredibly talented. I had so much fun picking out this outfit before I left for New York – I’m the queen of black on black on black. Seriously. Color blocking is just… not my thing. I pretty much threw my “norm” out the window and not only went bright and bold, but I also took my shot at the very chic OscarPRGirl’s backward sweater trick. As many of you know, she’s kiiind of a genius. She’s the first person I heard about this trend from, so I accredit the greatness to her, but basically you wear your cardigan backwards and it not only looks chic but expands your wardrobe choices. This sweater was a great one to try this out on because it has beautiful gold buttons on the sleeves and on the front.. err back. I also opted to wear my favorite BCBG bandage skirt to their show as a small ode to their greatness. Hope you love the look! Don’t forget to check out my girl Lydia’s work :)

images: Style.com

This fashion week kicked off for me with the BCBG Max Azria show on Thursday. Swathed in layers of wool and fur with pops of orange, blue and forest green, I was especially taken by the outerwear that was shown. I love the mixed textures – I’m going to need a leather/wool/fur combination coat next fall and look forward to hunting one of these down. What did you think of the show?

with some of my Dallas gals Krystal Schlegel and Amy Havins of Dallas Wardrobe (from Style and the City)

getting some assistance with my coat from a photographer

Every season of fashion week brings new surprises and excitement – this season was no different. While it is still going on, my trip has come to an end and I’m so thrilled to have been a part of the madness again. As a friend and I were discussing over cocktails at The Empire Hotel, this season was much different than the past seasons we’ve been to. Fashion really is ever-evolving and I think that fashion week is a great pulse on how much change really has taken place between seasons. Lincoln Center felt different this year and I think everyone noticed. It’s crazy exciting to see so many bloggers sitting front row at shows compared to even this time last year – it’s an honor to be a part of this wonderful community.

Each designers’ take on Fall was so interesting. While it wasn’t quite as devoid of color as past season I’ve seen, it will definitely be a muted one. Jewel tones popped out here and there in a variety of shows like BCBG Max Azria and Cynthia Rowley, while others kept it pretty dark mixing in black with more black differentiating with textures. I’m personally really excited for outerwear next Fall – I think it’s going to have a moment of its own and that we’ll notice as clothes start hitting stores this summer that a lot of designers made a point to design some really sick coats. Now that I’m living in Chicago, I have a new appreciation for a great (and warm) coat! I’ll be stalking the rest of the season online and will hopefully have some more posts up of the rest of my adventures! xo

It’s that time of year again! I’m leaving for New York tomorrow night and I couldn’t be more excited. More than anything to see the amazing friends that I’ve met over the past year and a half blogging – spending time in New York catching up is truly why I am headed back to the city that never sleeps this season. I’m looking forward to seeing the fall looks from the designers’ eyes and to see what unique trends and creative ideas my faves have in store. Last season it took me 2 months for my feet to stop tingling (from pain to be clear) post NYFW – while I don’t want to top that necessarily I have a feeling this will be a NYFW to never forget.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @cpetric because I’ll be tweeting live from shows and all of the fun, including another American Express Tweet Up event!

1. Alexander Wang Chloe perch trimmed sandals
2. Bottega Venetta two tone sandals
3. Rag & Bone Hilary Convertible Boots*
4. Alexander Wang Fabiana*
5. Isabel Marant Gava*
6. Alexander McQueen suede ankle booties
7. Balmain Alight

Ohhh, the one that got away. You know what I’m talking about… not a person, but the pair of shoes you had your eye on forever, had queued up to purchase on sale and at the last minute convinced yourself there was some reason why you didn’t have the money at the time or that they wouldn’t fit (both of those are reasons I’ve used). I have kicked myself (no pun intended) so many times for passing on shoe purchases that I still search for. I experience all kinds of ups and downs when it comes to shoes. There’s multiple types of shoe heartbreak:

1) Passing on the best deal ever for no real reason

2) Finding your love match only to find out they don’t come in your size or are sold out

3) Getting the deal of the century and taking your new babies home to find out after first wear that it’ll also be the last because your feet are bleeding

4) The ones that you want, but can’t afford unless they go on sale – oh the torment of waiting until the end of the season

I’ve experienced it all. I was online shopping the other night (which is rare anymore because I’m so busy) and realized I’m so off the shoe sale game right now and got me reflecting on my past failures in 1, 2 and 3 with high hopes for 4. I still google search and comb eBay for some of my lost ones, wondering if they’ll pop up. So I thought it would be encouraging to others who have shared in this to hear a few of my stories. Hopefully you won’t make the same mistake as me and hopefully history won’t repeat itself in my life!

—

1) Passing on the best deal ever for no real reason

Number One on my all time biggest shopping regret list is this pair of Rag & Bone Hilary Convertible Boots – they were on sale on SSense and I was afraid that even though they magically had my size, that they might not fit and I would be out a lot of money. I still hate seeing pictures of them, it hurts. They’re CONVERTIBLE boots and SOOOO badass. They double as short booties (part of my logic was also that you’re getting two shoes for the price of one, that still wasn’t enough) and I have yet to find another pair of boots more magical since.

Number Two on my all time biggest shopping regret list is the pair of Alexander Wang Fabianas. You’ve seen them, just about everywhere in silver and in black, and these too make me cringe a little inside. They’re one of the hottest pairs of sandals I’ve ever seen with a cape – doesn’t get much cooler than that. Again, another epic fail for not pulling the trigger on these when I had the chance.

2) Finding your love match only to find out they don’t come in your size or are sold out

The Alexander McQueens and the Balmain booties are good examples of this – the slow let down when you click the drop down box to find that your size is not available or is sold out. You have been there too, I was with you (in spirit).

3) Getting the deal of the century and taking your new babies home to find out after first wear that it’ll also be the last because your feet are bleeding

Let me tell you … sometimes the ones that you desire the most are the most disappointing. I had been looking at the Camila Skovgaard tassel booties for at least a year I think when I finally saw them pop up on the Outnet, in my size, super on sale. Score. A few clicks later they were headed my way. I am not a squealer or a shrieker at all, but I’m pretty sure that might’ve happened when they arrived. They were perfect, the most amazingly cool tassel/edge soled shoe to ever exist…. until I wore them. I can’t wear them for more than 30 minutes without wanting to cry because of the awkward arch – it was super disappointing to say the least. If you ever see me in them know I’m really struggling or there is a good chance I’m not planning on being around for too long, because they’re that painful. I always pick them up off of my shoe shelf, then I put them back down because I’m afraid. Seriously.

4) The ones that you want, but can’t afford unless they go on sale – oh the torment of waiting until the end of the season

This brings me to my last story, the Alexander Wang Chloe sandals. The best sporty spice meets scuba steve in a sexy sandal, maybe ever. I’m determined to bring these guys home and they look like they are actually kind of comfortable (I have tried on the sample at Nordstrom once… ok twice) so I’ll be stalking the sites come 1-2 months from now in hopes that I’ll be successful for once!

If you’re a warm blooded female, I’d guess you have a few stories of your own like these as well. Do share! I’d love to hear that I’m not the only one :)

Since moving to Chicago, there has been nonstop newness in my life! Let’s see… new city, new job, new home, new places to eat, new jackets & coats, new makeup & skincare routines, new views, new Twitter look, new Dunkin Donuts coffee addictions, and most importantly – new friends. Oh and I almost forgot! As of yesterday, car-less (my first car that I bought myself is sold)! If you’re on Instagram, follow me to keep up with my daily doses of inspiration: viewfrom5ft2.

Zara asymmetric skirt |  Topshop embellished crop top (similar)  |  Aldo Basinski platforms |  Tasha leaf chandelier earrings (via Nordstrom) |  H&M ring

Happy New Year!

Well, one week officially in the books for 2012 and there are no complaints here. I had a wonderful birthday (thanks to some darling new friends in Chicago) and it was the perfect way to kick start a fantastic year. I opted for a different look this NYE forgoing the usual dress and ringing in the New Year, separates style. I’m off to a pretty good start on my personal goals (I don’t really do “resolutions”) – 3 grocery stores and a lot of produce later, I have plenty of healthy things to eat and I got my minimum 1-workout-a-week in (pathetic, I know) so here’s to the second week of the year and my favorite new top {that I somehow scored on sale … go me}.