Not sure what I was thinking scheduling a showing of my condo the day after my first fashion show and the same day that I’m planning a photo shoot.

I think over-scheduled is going to be the name of the game until I make the move to NY.

23 days until move.

CFDA Fashion

This week has been a real whirlwind on a personal and professional level but I did want to talk just a little about the CFDA Fashion Awards because its a great place for trend spotting.  Here’s what I saw a lot of.

Lots of sheer and lots of cutouts (some much more effective than others).  Erin Wasson was one of the successful ones.  I won’t go into the less successful ones *cough Rachel Roy cough*

Erin Wasson

Erin Wasson

1920′s inspired looks.  Even the stars seem to be loving the  Great  Gatsby inspired fashions.  I’ve got to admit, this isn’t my favorite look for Olivia Palermo but at the same time I respect that she went for something different.  And I love sequins.

Olivia Palermo at the CFDA's

Olivia Palermo at the CFDA’s

Metallics.  Nicole Richie killed it.  Her metallic slip dress is amazing and I love that she kept her look sleek.  She looks incredible and makes me so glad I picked up a few vintage Laundry slip dresses this spring (yeah, bad news, the 90′s now are considered vintage).

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie

Who were your favorite’s from the CFDA’s?

~Maggie

All Photos here

A sad day.

I wanted to post a more in depth blog post about the personal implications of my move to New York but, unfortunately, we had to put our sweet labradoodle down today.

We knew that he had hurt himself on Saturday.  But it turned out he had broken his hip.  The x-ray also showed that he had cancer in both of his hips, and likely in other parts of his body.  There was nothing the vet could do for him.  We didn’t want him to suffer, so as hard as it was we knew he needed to let him go.

He was surrounded by his family and we know that he lived a wonderful life for a dog filled with walks, treats, and car rides.

He was truly a member of our family, which I imagine is hard for non dog people to understand.  But we will miss him greatly.

~Maggie

From the Lingerie Blog…

From my lingerie blog-I’ll also add my own comments on this but here’s my big news for the week-

I have a big announcement to make-I’m taking an extended work trip to New York!

If this all seems pretty sudden, well, that’s because it is.

A little over a week ago I was talking to a friend about my production process here in Chicago and just feeling a little stuck.  I’ve been working with a great factory here but at this time they don’t really have the machines to help me make the best products possible at the quantities that I want to make them.  This has been an ongoing issue for a while, but I don’t usually like to complain about my job because I generally feel really lucky to be doing what I do and I’ve actually received a lot of support from the factory I work with in Chicago that I probably wouldn’t have gotten as a designer just starting out in New York.

While exploring my options I joked I basically had to move to New York or start drinking heavily to minimize the stress of producing with the wrong machinery here.

Producing in New York had been an option I flirted with before, but didn’t think I was ready for.  It sort of hit me that my “joke” was basically my reality and it was time to make a change.

Trying to make lingerie in Chicago is not working at this point.  I’m still hopeful that with the increase in Chicago’s fashion production that I can bring production back here eventually and I still don’t plan on moving to NY permanently (don’t worry Mom!)

But, for now, the plan is to head to New York for three months starting in July to get things set up then coming back to Chicago and continuing to run The Giving Bride from here.  I think this is the best way for me to keep my commitment to high quality lingerie, ethically produced in America.

I think that this is a really exciting opportunity for both me personally and my business and I hope you’ll keep following along as we enter this new chapter!

~Maggie

success-sketch

The right side is what my week feels like and I’m still not sure when I’m going to reach the “success” part…I guess that’s the “joy” of being an entrepreneur.

CBN

So about a year after I first learned about them, and 6 months after the sent me a short e-mail asking me basic questions, I finally replied and joined the Chicago Blogger Network!

Procrastination for the win!

Seriously though, I’m trying to get better about being a functioning, organized adult.  Though judging by the current state of my condo the success of that goal is, um, debatable.

Anyway, I’m really excited to participate in the events that the CBN organizes.  I’ve been following them on tumblr and facebook for a while and they’re always cooking up something fun and it looks like a great way to meet other bloggers.  If you’re a Chicago Blogger you can check them out here.

~Maggie

Spring/Summer Trend Roundup

It finally seems as if the Chicago weather might actually be turning toward summer temperatures (though we still have to figure this whole “sunshine” thing out) so I thought it was time to talk summer fashion.

Here are a few of the trends I’ll be wearing as the summer starts.

Summer Black-This might be the easiest, most wearable trend ever.  After several seasons of white being a trend its time to break out your LBD again!  The best think about this trend is that there really is a little black dress for every shape and every occasion.

In fact, you probably already have one in your closet.  But, just in case you want to buy something new, I’d check out this DVF dress on ShopBop.  I love the drop waist and you can wear this day or night depending on how you style it.

DVF Drop Waist Dress

DVF Drop Waist Dress

 

Stripes- The obvious way to wear this trend is nautical, and you really can’t go wrong with a little striped sweater or t-shirt.  However, if you want to do something different I think that this Hive and Honey dress on Piperlime is a great choice.  Not quite stripes, not quite chevron but very modern.

Hive and Honey Dress from Piperlime

Hive and Honey Dress from Piperlime

 

Floral Prints- Florals are everywhere this year.  If you think that you’re not a floral girl you can take a riff from the more graphic versions seen on the runway like this Asos one that mixes a kaleidoscope like pattern with a little black color blocking to toughen it up.

Floral Bodycon Dress from Asos

Floral Bodycon Dress from Asos

 

Skater Skirts-This one is from Bloomingdales but I also saw quite  a few at Urban Outfitters the other day that were a little more casual.

Skater Skirt from Bloomingdales

Skater Skirt from Bloomingdales

 

What trends are you loving this season?

~Maggie

Finally downloaded an Uber app.

I know, I know.  I’m the last person on earth (or at least Chicago).

I think I’m a mere 2 years away from being cool enough for sidecar.

Friday Finds

Here’s a quick roundup of the things that I’m loving this week.

These Steve Madden shoes.  They are totally, inappropriately high and I am aware that I will look sort of absurd in them but I don’t care.  I bought these (on sale!) at the Steve Madden store in Bucktown.  You can look for me tottering around Chicago in them all summer.

Steve Madden Xternal

Steve Madden Xternal

 

Nars is always my go to for lip gloss and this has become my trusty new color for spring.  There’s a reason they call it “larger than life lipgloss” but don’t be afraid.  Though you can layer this lipgloss to a very bright and bold finish, you can start out with just a dab and use your finger to blend it into more of a sheer stain like look which allows you to use this gloss for both day and night looks.

 

Nars Larger Than Life Lipgloss in Place Vendome

Nars Larger Than Life Lipgloss in Place Vendome

 

 

At $580 this Missoni swim suit isn’t exactly in my budget (and no, I didn’t buy it) but I spotted it on Net-a-Porter and it was too cute not to buy.

Honestly, at this point I’d be glad to glad to drag out my Target swimsuit if it meant that it was warm enough to wear it in Chicago.  Currently at 42 degrees as I’m typing this.  Sigh. A girl can dream.

Backless Missoni Swimsuit

Backless Missoni Swimsuit

What were your favorite finds this week?

~Maggie