Spring ahead...

The weather here in the Northeast has been anything but predictable, of late.  It's blizzardous one day, with highs near the the 60's the next.  I wouldn't dare complain about record highs...it's the record lows that have me craving the warmer weather somewhere on the horizon.  Spring has never been my favorite season, with it's frequent temperature fluctuations, and all. that. rain.  Nonetheless, I love any change of season, when it comes to fashion!

After what seems like months of sale on winter weather coziness, I am ready for the breath of fresh air that comes with lighter, breezy spring looks.

As always, J.Crew is ready with crisp, transitional looks that will work now, and when the great thaw finally occurs in April and May.

I didn't start at the entry this time...because these athletic-inspired looks from further back are what speak to me now, in the winter chill.  I love the ease of fitted sweats and pull-on pants, paired with chambray shirts or, dare I say, flannel.  And a simple pencil skirt, with the addition of a great statement necklace, elevate a cozy knit sweatshirt.  Love the sweatshirt styling on this side-zip dress!

Gorgeous floral on a fancified sweatshirt...again, with the ease of the pull-on crepe pant.  The stripe short is a must have for summer.  And the coral pop is so fresh on a navy and white background.

More coral in a instantly pulled together shift dress.  Love a hood on a trench, with the rainy season ahead.  And sand colored flats will be a go to all summer long!

A gorgeous azure shade in spring's favorite pant...pair it with a simple embellished sweatshirt for a clean (but, oh so comfortable!) look.

The lace embellishment on this sweater is simply stunning!  More Aztec carry over in a belt that, very literally, works with anything!

Finding a spring/summer replacement for my wool embroidered baseball cap was a must!  Mission accomplished with this emblem cotton cap!

This denim on denim, with a bow tie addition, reminds me of a certain Instagrammer that has perfected the art of the bow tie.  And the shoes are a reminder that leopard is, as always, a neutral.

Love.  Love.  Love! these perfect gold duo birds on a dainty chain!  An amazing Valentine's gift, I'm thinking!

J.Crew has really perfected their open sell jewelry.  These gorgeous statement pieces are a steal at $55!  Lots of color options.

This sweater.  Perfection!  Of course, the entire Crewcuts line is adorable, as usual.  But...this sweater..it's my fave of the concept!  Hi!

And, this hat, just because.  My son loves his The Dude tee, so this hat is a no-brainer.

So, there is a taste of what's to come in the next month at J.Crew.  Pieces are becoming available online every day, so keep your eyes peeled!
And, let's start our goodbyes to this dreary winter!

Santa's On His Way...

 I promised you Crewcuts fans this a week ago, so here we go...just a few of the whimsical, gorgeous Holiday looks spotted at my local J.Crew!

I made no secret of my love for the September fairisle sweater for girls, so it's no surprise that I adore this neon version for the holidays.  Love it with the tulle skirt!  My girls will be sporting it with glitter flats, just because they're super-girly!  I also love the cozy, supersoft funnel neck...such a great warmth layer.  The shade of red on the ponte dress is perfect for pics, and has beautiful beading detail!  And, what boy doesn't love dinos??  This tee is a no-brainer!

Love a reason to dress my son a little more dapper...sadly, I only get a couple of days during the holidays.  The rest of the time, he's running, so we have to keep it simple!  Love this red plaid tartan...it is the winner for Santa's lap!  Great color!  The sweaters are super-soft, and there is a great offering of ties this year!  He may be beyond me wrestling him into one this year, but I'm still gonna try! 

Still loving the pops of neon!  The kids' outerwear is amazing...with fun hats , scarves and gloves to top it all off.  How cute are these New Balance with the dress???

Love a great black and white story...even on the kiddos!  The graphic print on this dress is stunning!  I'd love with a red cardigan and shoes for pics too!

And, speaking of red, buy this sweater now!  It's festive for right now, and you'll be kicking yourself at Valentine's Day, when it's gone!  If you don't have a sweater girl, that great heart print also comes in leggings.

So, that's your glimpse into Holiday adorableness...including my own little Crewcuts model, who snuck into the picture!  The heart sweater was her fave... "It's fantastic, Mom!" were her words, I believe.

Somebody save me!

Holiday! Celebrate! (Cue the music...)

Brace yourselves!  It is a long one today!  But so, so necessary to discuss the amazingness of this Holiday concept at J.Crew!  I am downright festive, since seeing it earlier today!  Makes me want to jump right to Christmas decorations, and skip the rest of fall.  Insanity...I know...but it is that good!  The first pic is blurry, I apologize.  I swear, my hands were shaking from the excitement!  Let's examine, shall we?

This color block coat.  Enough said!  Love the navy and red against the oatmeal.  Love that it elevates jeans and a flannel, but is special enough to dress up.  Love it standing next to that, amazing shade of crimson, dress.  I love everything about it!  I'll take it!

So, the "family" wasn't fully dressed...quite fitting, I think.  But I adore this coordinated tree trimming family ensemble!  I'd swap the heels for a pair of riding boots, add a parka, and cut the tree down myself!  Love this new take on the flannel...so feminine!  And the necklace...Ah-Maze!  The kiddies are adorable too, although not fully finished layering, so don't judge!  I was too excited to wait!

                                                                                                                                        

My fave hat...still as focal as ever.  It is perfect with a lace party skirt.  And, who doesn't love a great buffalo plaid coat???

I have two already, so I'll probably have to pass on this spectacular peacoat.  But, word to the wise, it is red and navy (not black)...genius, I tell you!

The embellished collar boy shirt is a necessity for the fast-approaching holiday season...so grab one while they're available!

                                           

This flannel and pearls vignette just screams football game in the south to me.  Live for the rugged pretty juxtaposition!  Destroyed boyfriend jeans and an amazing pair of suede Everlys...done and done!

I'm calling these the "New Years Girls."  Gorgeous neutrals and black with gold accents.  So chic and pretty!  And that tweed jacket is major!  It definitely falls into the "forever investment" category.  You will wear for. like. ever.

I was tentative toward this tribalesque sweater at first.  It seemed like it might be a bit much.  I've totally turned the corner on it now, though!  I'm going to wear it with the destroyed toothpick jeans (shown on right), and great weathered boots.  

And, speaking of the girl on the right, there is everything right about her outfit!  Layered jewels, cozy cashmere layering...and a navy blazer.

Perfection!

I couldn't resist this adorable girl!  Although it's unlikely that I'll ever "run out for coffee" in my boyfriend's boxers (more like absolutely never!), I love the mix of the menswear p.j. top and peacoat, and the cozy sock and shearling boots.  If I wasn't eternally freezing, I'd add a scarf and be out the door!  I'll swap out the boxers for leggings, and be nearly as cute!

And, because they deserve their own photo...these shearling boots!  I cannot think of one single thing there is not to love!  The suede is a gorgeous mink color...the buckle is cool.  And, did I mention?  They are lined in shearling, people!  These are decidedly more of a need, than a want!

More delightful hats...a winter necessity.

But, the sweater.  Could you die?  Bejewelled reindeer.  A little kitch never gets old during the holidays.  That's a fact!

As I headed further back in the store, the festive brights faded to a more neutral palette.  And that's when I spotted this cool girl.  The sweater was a sample, or I would have purchased instantly!  It is sweater perfection.  Love it paired with fluted mini, and the cozy sock/ankle boot combo.

I may be sensing a pattern here...

Love the Nobody's Perfect tee, and that wrap skirt is a wardrobe finisher for all!

I ended my festival of happiness on these softer hues.  The jewel detail on this pretty blush sweater is stunning!  Again, loving that it is paired with destroyed denim and a structured blazer.  No jewelry required here!  And the pop of coral on this gorgeous wool coat is fantastic when the weather turns daily dreary!

So, I'd love to say...that's it!  But, it isn't nearly!  There is still so much to see in this delivery!  Outerwear essentials, adorable Crewcuts and, perhaps, even some festive men's styles.

Stay tuned...

Lululemon...I'm going to allow it (Gasp!)

I am going to condone something right now, that is largely frowned upon in my business.  Most stylists spend the bulk of our time trying to get women out of their workout clothes.  We support the mantra that "dressed is best." and workout clothes are made for one thing...working out.  And, I believe that, I truly do.  But I am a realist.  And there are days that, even if you do truly work out, there just isn't enough time to shower and prettify for the day.  In those extreme cases (you know who you are), I'm going to go out on a limb and say, you could make it through the day in Lululemon.  I know, I know...I've drunk the Kool-Aid.  There are lots of brands that make perfectly acceptable gear...Nike, New Balance, Zella...the list goes on.

But, I'm telling you, I've tested the theory...everybody looks better in Lulu.  I never get more compliments, or stares (and not just for the kicky tennis skirt), than when I'm outfitted in my Lululemon gear.  As far as workout clothes go, they are the cutest!  

Aren't they a little pricey, you might ask?  As far as workout gear...yes, yes they are.  But, in my humbled opinion, worth every penny.  The fit is so flattering, and the fabrications are typically available in a wide array of beautiful colors.  It is a rare season that passes, that I don't find something I absolutely love!  So, that's it.

I said it.

I'm still going to do my best to get you ladies dressed every day.  But, if you must leave the house in leggings, I'd feel better if they were Wunder Unders!

;-)

And, Lululemon, if you'd like to send some gear for that resounding advertisement,

I won't turn it away!

www.maisonkmv.blogspot.com

Now, if only I could get all of you to follow...;-)
In all seriousness, though, many thanks to my faithful readers (Mom!).  And, anyone who pops in to read my musings on fashion, and all things pretty!  I truly enjoy sharing, and bringing some of my passion in what I do, to you!  2000 page views may not seem like much to many, but it is far beyond what I ever expected in a few months time!  Mostly, because I have no idea, whatsoever, how this whole Blogger thing works!  It's a fact!  But, I'm learning...and, as I do, I will be able to bring more of the beautiful things in life to you.  So, keep reading...
It's going to be a wild ride!

October Fab Fifteen

And...I'm back!  The unplanned hiatuses continue to take me by surprise.  The last week and a half has been a whirlwind...but very productive!  There are so many amazing things on the horizon for Maison KMV, and I can't wait to share them!
In the interim, I've decided to take some time to reflect back on all the gorgeous finds I've bookmarked for my October wish list.  I've said it often, but autumn is truly my favorite time of year!  The colors are rich and beautiful, especially evident in this amazing oxblood stretch leather skirt (Net-A-Porter, $1395), this gorgeous saffron and grey bra, by Elle Macpherson (Anthropologie, $30), and this timeless lace raglan t-shirt, by The Kooples (Harrod's, $175).  And there are truly no words for the technicolor floral and lace cafe capris (J.Crew Collection, $450)...amazing!  I will be accenting these deep colors with this Zara beaded necklace ($30) in primary colors, to punch it up a bit.
I love to balance all that color with beautiful neutral pieces, like the navy and cream feather print mini (Stella McCartney, $1195).  This gorgeous skirt has been on my must have list, since the preview back in April!  The Donna Karan cardigan, in misty grey, is cashmere perfection (Net-A-Porter, $1995), and I will dream of it until the day I own it!  But, for the more budget-savvy, the detail on the embroidered lace merino sweater, from J.Crew ($98), adds some drama to a neutral base.
I'm sticking with the classics to finish off my October look.  A rich, cognac colored tote, from Zara, fits everything, and at a budget friendly $60.  I'm partial to my Madewell The Archive Boot in cognac, so I think it's a no-brainer to add this distressed leather version to the collection ($348).  And, since I was scouting all the new Madewell goods, I couldn't resist adding this beautiful belted leather bomber ($525).  It is the perfect amount of distressed, and in a gorgeous shade that will elevate any look!  Finishing off the classics, is the new neutral, leopard print Martina calf hair wedges (J.Crew, $358).  From denim to leather, these shoes add instant chic!  I can never have a wish list without a new pair of jeans...these patched Zara ($80) are collegiate-cute, and a relaxed boyfriend fit.  My fave!  And, the double sided scarf (also Zara, $36), is so huge, it could double as a throw!  I will look forward to wrapping myself in this coziness all season long!  And, because I'm just about tiring of my favorite feather ring, I'm looking to replace it with the sparkle of this smokestone ring (Madewell, $22).
I'd love to be able to say that completes the October wish list, but that would just be ridiculous!  There is just too much gorgeous out there!  We'll call it "The First Half of October List," and look forward to highlighting more amazing items as the month continues...
Happy Autumn!

ETRO...Italian Masters

I had the extreme pleasure of finally making it into the Etro boutique in Soho today.  It did not disappoint!  I had a fitting with a client. and we found ourselves with some extra time on our hands.  We have recently added some stunning pieces from Etro to her wardrobe, and needed some finishers.  The brand is gorgeous!  The textiles are unmatched. and the tailoring is impeccable!  We actually started with the silk blouse and pencil skirt shown on the left.  Unfortunately, there was an issue with the top.  The supremely gracious Douglas assisted with a pewter version, and the addition of (quite possibly) the most amazing necklace I've ever seen!  It was a divine experience!
The jewelry is major...particularly the double-finger ring shown.  The colors are incredibly rich...I'm in love with purple again!  And, am currently desperate for the knife pleat skirt, shown to the right.  The dress...next level amazing!  And, Etro outerwear...not. enough. words.  I'm only sad that I was so enamored with the shop, that I ceased to photo every single piece.
If you're in the neighborhood, pop in!  Say hi to Douglas...he's fab!