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}.

{yup, that's the view out of my window}

I have been looking forward to recapping 2011 for months – I know that’s a little strange especially since the year wasn’t even over when I started thinking about it, but I have been reflecting on this year so much lately and have everything to be thankful for. You guys know how much I love adventures (that’s one of my favorite aspects of this blog – getting to share them with you), and this was the MOST adventurous year of my life, hands down.

Let’s see… I started the year off in Breckenridge for my birthday, went to the X-Games & boarded Aspen, hit up Laguna Beach for the weekend, had an incredible experience at NYFW and met some of the most amazing girls in the world, was the maid of honor at my Best Friend’s wedding, snowboarded the whole season in Colorado and finally did a double black diamond bowl (I was stoked), traveled to San Francisco, Austin, spent the 4th of July in Newport Beach with my best friend boating around the harbor, somewhere in there enjoyed being at home in Dallas with friends and family, went back to NYFW where my gals and I threw the inaugural Blogger’s Night Out, flew to Paris for the weekend spent a day in Versailles, and THEN… I moved to Chicago! Rounding out the year, I have a new job at the fastest growing company ever (literally), I’m enjoying a new city and loving all of the new friends that are in my life.

Like I said.. I have a LOT to be thankful for this year. I was able to experience one of the craziest years a girl could have and got my fill of adventures, for sure. I’ll be honest – although on paper/blog it sounds crazy awesome, it had its ups and downs. This year really pushed and tested me in a lot of ways, but we’re always better for it. I wouldn’t have had it any other way & I know everything that happened this year is just preparing me for what’s to come next year.

So, what’s on the horizon in 2012? The glorious thing is… I do not know! My personal resolution is to worry less, plan less and just be more. There are so many things in life that I cannot control or plan, and I am excited to see what comes my way this year. One thing I will resolve to do is post more – I vow to find a better balance with my new life here in Chicago and keep you guys updated since this past month and a half was insane and I wasn’t able to as much. You guys are the best and the reason I blog, so thank you for making this such an incredible year! I’m looking forward to another with you :)

I truly believe that the best is yet to come, and I’ll be ringing in the New Year (and my birthday!) wishing you the same. Hugs & Kisses to you all!

It’s that time of year and in case you have a few last minute gifts to still pick up, here are a few of my favorite suggestions! My top pick this Christmas are a pair of tassel earrings from Merrick Bean. She’s an incredible designer and these are the perfect statement addition to any outfit. She makes them in a variety of colors so make sure you check them out here!

1. Bodum french press, $29.95
2. Stephanie Johnson Mumbai Cobalt large flat pouch, $35
3. Diane Von Furstenburg Florane silk blouse, $159 (on sale)
4. Jonathan Adler Nixon cup, $10
5. Merrick Bean tassel earrings, $29
6. Sorel Joan of Arctic boots, $140
7. Yves Saint Laurent arty ring, $250
8. Connor Elephant tablets, $75

I hope you all have fabulous plans with family & friends… Happy Holidays!

Catching up on some recent happenings that I wanted to share with you guys! After all, you’re the reason why I blog and have helped me grow so much, so I also wanted to say THANK YOU!!!! :)

I’m one of the newest additions to the Lucky Style Collective, which is incredibly exciting because I love what Lucky Magazine is doing for bloggers and am so thrilled to be a part of this network of some of my favorite bloggers out there! I also was on Racked.com’s national site for my photo of Lauren Santo Domingo – also really cool that I turned heads of some really legit story-finders. The Odd Slipper also did a little feature on me recently which was really cute and if you haven’t heard of them and have petite feet like me you should check them out. You can vote for shoe styles you like and then they’ll produce the most popular. Hope you’re having a great week!

Lunching at Laduree

Ideeli cape (similar)  |  Kova & T blouse (Urban Outfitters)  |  H&M sweater  |  Free People jeans |  Sam Edelman over the knee boots (similar)  |  Lulu’s bag (c/o)

Pont du Arts

St. Germain

I bet you didn’t think you’d have to wait that long to find out about the second part of the shortest trip ever, huh? :) I’m so sorry for the delay in posts… my life has been quite the whirlwind lately and as I’m getting settled here I will find a better routine, I promise. So now for the rest of my story…

The next day I literally roamed Paris until I couldn’t walk. I went just about everywhere – I skipped all of the museums and stuff because I’ve already been to them and I really just wanted to experience and see the city. I was quite unprepared for the cold front that came through Paris on Saturday … it was ridiculously cold and windy that morning which forced me to go to the nearest H&M and buy a sweater in order to make it through the day. My hotel was right off of the Arc de Triomphe, so I started my morning with a little shopping on the Champs Elysses and ended up at Laduree for lunch. Just like anyone else would, I bought a substantial amount of macarons seeing as they’re one of my favorite treats of all time (the praline flavor was amazing), and then ventured down near the Louvre where there was a really great view of the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe from the Louvre entrance where they all line up and you can see them in one view. I also went by the Pont du Arts where couples from all over have put their names on padlocks on the bridge and then threw the key into the river. I loved it – outward displays of love are really cool to me and especially in mass amounts. I ventured down into St. Germain as well which was an area I had not been to before and absolutely loved it. Next trip I think I’ll need to spend quite a bit more time there :). I rounded out my day near the Eiffel Tower because as cliche as it is, I just really like it and am always blown away when I see it thinking about the time and effort that went into building it. It’s iconic & that will never change – very similar to some of the long standing traditions in fashion or the Statue of Liberty. I’m sure if you live there you can’t stand the thing, but I don’t.. so I don’t care! :)

A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without escargot and wine, so with that I ended my day and watched the sunset behind the Grand Palais. It was a magical weekend and something that I think everyone should do at least once in their lifetime — maybe not necessarily to Paris if that’s not your cup of tea but I think a getaway trip by yourself is incredibly exciting and something that everyone should try. 22 hours of straight travel time later I was back in the states and delirious because my body thought I pulled 2 all-nighters in a weekend, but it’s Paris and you only live once, so whatever.