Breezy looks full of femininity came down the runway at Marissa Webb, flanked by a front row filled with top fashion bloggers and stylish celebrities. I enjoyed the effortless way in which Webb created a collection of clothes that will transition easily from the office to date night to vacation. This spring and summer, look to Marissa Webb for ladylike ruffled silk, relaxed tie-waist pants, and beautifully textured lace. Marissa Webb SS17 is fresh, modern, and playful and is a collection every woman can incorporate into her wardrobe.
First, let’s discuss this dress, because I know some of you are here purely for the fashion and details and aren’t so interested in the blogger gossip… Or my rant addressing said blogger gossip. I chose this dress because it is so beautifully made, I knew it was one I could wear again and again and again. It’s perfectly my style… Feminine and classic, with just a hint of modern detail. I followed the sizing measurements listed and found it to be very true to size. It is a bit of a splurge, but I feel that because of its classic style and color it’s something you’ll have for years and years; you can pull it out for weddings and showers and parties and its intricate details will continue to wow everyone each time. It’s the classic LBD every woman should have in her closet.
Such a crisp black dress definitely needs a pop of color and I added some bright heels to the look so it isn’t too serious. This was one of those outfits I never wanted to take off at the end of the day… Even after multiple shows and an event at night, I still felt like some classic Hollywood star in this dress.
Now… On to the comments Vogue writers made in an article summarizing their takes on Milan Fashion Week, which incorporated a discussion regarding bloggers and streetwear stars. I typically don’t like to address things that are controversial because I prefer my content brighten your day and make you happy as opposed to writing about things that could cause any of you distress or hurt feelings. However, this time the issue hit especially close to home for me because the writers’ statements were ones I had heard many times from interviews to networking events to my own living room. And whenever I hear such statements, I have to admit, it hurts.
In case you didn’t want to read the entire article, the commentary regarding bloggers can be summarized into the following: Vogue‘s Creative Digital Director Sally Singer addressed the polarization between designers creating a collection to highlight the art of fashion and creating a collection to gain clicks and get attention on the streets, saying, “It’s a schizophrenic moment, and that just can’t be good. (Note to bloggers who change head-to-toe, paid-to-wear outfits every hour: Please stop. Find another business. You are heralding the death of style.)” To which Vogue.com‘s Chief Critic Sarah Mower responded, “So yes, Sally, the blogger bit, with the added aggression of the street photographer swarm who attend them, is horrible, but most of all, pathetic for these girls, when you watch how many times the desperate troll up and down outside shows, in traffic, risking accidents even, in hopes of being snapped.” Then Vogue Runway‘s Director Nichole Phelps criticized brands a bit, adding, “It’s not just sad for the women who preen for the camera in borrowed clothes, it’s distressing, as well, to watch so many brands participate. No coincidence that Versace and BV are two houses that don’t play the game.” The rather harsh commentary was finally packaged up by Alessandra Codinha, Vogue.com‘s Fashion News Editor, who said, “Am I allowed to admit that I did a little fist pump when Sally broached the blogger paradox? There’s not much I can add here beyond how funny it is that we even still call them “bloggers,” as so few of them even do that anymore. Rather than a celebration of any actual style, it seems to be all about turning up, looking ridiculous, posing, twitching in your seat as you check your social media feeds, fleeing, changing, repeating… It’s all pretty embarrassing – even more so when you consider what else is going on in the world. (Have you registered to vote yet? Don’t forget the debate on Monday!)” Quite the statements, right?
I’d like to play devil’s advocate for a moment and say that, while at NYFW this year, I did feel a bit frustrated at some things I saw happening. In case you didn’t witness it yourself, I’ll give you a play-by-play of the less attractive pre and post-show moments. Many street style stars/bloggers/models often crowd around the fashion show venue in droves before the show wearing loud, eccentric pieces to attempt to attract the attention of style photographers posted outside the venue. Once seated inside, I was shocked to see that some of these people completely tuned out of whatever show they were attending to look down at their phones the entire time; literally not looking at the designer’s collection at all, choosing instead to text or scroll Instagram. Before the show even ended, some bloggers would fly up out of their seats and dart to the bathroom to change so they could be among the first to exit the show (in their new look) and have the style photographers outside to themselves. Girls from inside the show (and ones who weren’t able to secure a seat but showed up solely for the photographers) then walk and pose for the style photographers lining the streets. Sometimes girls will block traffic or walk up and down the road numerous times (keep in mind this is in 95-degree, gritty, sweaty, NYC heat) all to try and get photographed by a photographer. Repeat – again and again – for every fashion show that day. But there is a point to this mad process… Keep reading.
When I first arrived at NYFW last year, I didn’t really understand how this all worked and I was a bit confused as I tried to catch a cab and got caught in a mob of snapping and posing. This year upon my first post-show exit, I noticed that the pandemonium had even increased, much to my chagrin; I was sweaty, my feet hurt, and I was mostly thinking about getting back to our hotel and meeting my mother for lunch – #priorities.
Keep in mind my observations above do not apply to all fashion show attendees or all fashion bloggers, by any means. In my opinion, some bloggers even do the post-show walk in a respectable way; walking naturally toward their Uber or taxi and getting a photograph or two along the way. But those who parade back and forth along the streets surrounding the fashion show venues so incredibly intent on getting snapped – and I hate to be this critical – exhibit behavior that smacks of desperation. I even had a fellow blogger point to a photo of a streetwear star in front of a wall of cameras and exclaim with envy, “That’s my goal!” Not that craving fame is bad, but I think there’s a right way and a wrong way and it’s up to each blogger to decide what is right for their own business.
So why do bloggers do the “Walk of Shame”, if you will? Part of the blogger business is creating your own publicity, as is fulfilling the photograph requirement of paid contracts with brands and designers… Both of which can come about by way of those “hordes of street photographers” the Vogue writers mentioned. Say that a blogger’s brand is all about eccentric looks and pure street style. Being photographed by the right photographer could land him or her in the pages of a magazine, newspaper, or fashion website… So posing for street photographers outside shows could be completely on-brand for that blogger and a smart way to spend their time. In contrast, I don’t focus on edgy looks and I prefer creating editorial content that tells a story. And I could care less about fame; I just want to help make women feel beautiful. As a result, I just don’t feel that walking up and down streets post-shows is a good allocation of my time at this point in my blogging journey. It’s nothing personal, it just doesn’t really make sense for my business right now.
And it is a business. The biggest misstep in the Vogue comments above is the minimization (or feigned minimization) of an industry that has been statistically shown to drive sales better than more traditional forms of advertising or promotion. A prime example; the monetization company for digital influencers called rewardStyle has driven over $1 billion in sales through bloggers for its 4,000 retailers since its 2011 launch. As we increasingly turn to our phones and laptops to shop, it’s clear that blogging is an industry that isn’t going away anytime soon. Shopping via bloggers is efficient, convenient, and more relatable; customers want to see clothing on real bodies and real people, styled for real life.
I felt disappointed to see that these negative comments were made by women against an industry that is predominantly made up of women. As women, they should understand the unsurmountable pressure we face every single day. I cannot count the nights I’ve stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to edit photos, fix tech issues, answer emails, and complete a project by deadline because I had to take care of my husband, our home responsibilities, and our dogs or something simply went wrong that day; I can’t even imagine how bloggers who juggle two jobs or children do it (you are superwomen!). And then to hear someone ask, “So what do you do all day?” It’s incredibly frustrating. And what’s even more frustrating is reading fellow women in the creative industry suggest that bloggers “find another business” when their very company features them on it’s website, in the pages of it’s magazine, and on it’s covers.
Furthermore, most of us have worked in other businesses before growing our blogs to a point where we can support ourselves with our income. This isn’t an easy industry; it takes a lot of time, work, and dedication to grow and develop as a blogger. Most of us have taught ourselves the ins-and-outs through trial and error and lots of research; we have learned to be businesswomen by doing hard work and making lots of mistakes. Harvard Business School did a case study on The Blonde Salad and Aimee Song recently signed a $500,000 business deal with Laura Mercier. The Vogue comments minimize all of those achievements and accomplishments by reducing the blogging industry to an army of clowns parading outside fashion shows.
Yes, bloggers need to respect others in the industry and take it seriously; dress in a way that is authentic to their brand, give respect to designers at their shows, and conduct themselves in a way that honors the art that is fashion. But women should support and uplift other women; we are up against enough as it is. Above all, it’s time that the world recognizes blogging is a business and deserves as much respect as any other. And if we bloggers have learned anything from our jobs, it’s how to shrug off negative comments.
Thanks for sharing your point of view with us! I think you worded everything wonderfully. By the way this LBD is just beautiful! Definitely a closet staple! =)
Great dress, great post. You are one of my favorite bloggers as you only seem to post clothing that you wear and feel strongly about. I know it’s a business, but you appear to have standards and are not just showing items to make a dime. On so many blogs I see the same clothing that obviously was shipped out to many bloggers to boost sales. Sadly, I’ve developed a lack of trust in my consumer/blogger relationships and feel at times I’m being sold “the emperor’s new clothes”! Thank you!
NYFW was such a whirlwind!! I was so thankful to have my mom with me this time… She was such a help and comfort to me on blog shoots with four outfit changes and in between the daily chaos of shows, meetings, and events. I was home for a quick 48 hours to unpack and repack my suitcases, then I left for the Midwest. I attended my bestie’s bridal shower (wine tasting is my new favorite bridal shower activity) and a few days to relax at my parents’ home. I was telling my husband, “My parents’ home is where I feel taken care of and at peace… My home is where I make others feel taken care of and at peace.” Do any of you feel like that? I think it’s difficult to relax in your own home because there’s always something to be done and another task on the to-do list to check off.
After some travel issues, I finally made it back to Denver just in time for my friend to arrive for a visit. She’s thinking of moving to the city, so it’s been fun to show her around my favorite little spots.
This dress was one of my favorites I wore at NYFW. I absolutely love the movement its beautiful fabric creates. Wearing it was like wearing a live painting; I was completely enchanted by the way the dramatic swaths of silk swung into motion as they caught every breeze. The dress runs true to size, but I do suggest wearing a pretty bralette (like this one I’m wearing) underneath as it’s a bit open in the front. The deep ‘v’ creates a flattering effect, as does the softly gathered waistline and flowing skirt. Layer it with moto jackets and fur vests and suede boots… Trust me, it’s a dress you’ll wear again and again this fall and winter.
(Mention me/my blog to receive $50 off your first lash application!)
This top is from a brand I recently discovered. I love their entire collection, but this particular top is my favorite. It’s sexy in a feminine, playful way. I just love the flattering cold shoulder style and the frills that catch movement each time I take a step. I wore this in NYC to lunch with a friend, fashion shows, and an evening event at NYFW.
It would look beautiful paired with a pencil skirt or midi skirt, but I actually love wearing it with these ripped black jeans for an edgy touch. I wore my infamous orange heels from this blog post, but I have my eye on these gorgeous tan ones for fall and winter; I think they’d look perfect with this look.
As for sizing… The top, jeans, and heels all run pretty true to size. Go with your usual size or the size recommended by each size chart and you should be fine.
One of the most luxe and romantic fabrics is back for fall in a major way. Velvet accents graced the FW16 runways and, as evidenced by its presence on the streets in NYC this past week, velvet is a trend that many fashionistas have embraced and is here to stay through the fall and winter months.
Runway Translated: Adding a layer of sumptuous elegance to any look, velvet is an easy element to build in to your outfits with small accessories like bags and shoes. Try a velvet bootie or a velvet block heel. I splurged on these velvet block heels with a moderate platform. They are surprisingly comfortable and I just can’t resist that sexy, feminine velvet fabric!
Rushing from show to show… Squeezing in a brand meeting… Networking at industry events and parties… Working on the next day’s post until the wee hours of the morning… And then waking up at the break of dawn for a quick blog shoot… These are the things you don’t see behind the glamorous scenes at NYFW. Fashion Week is filled with everything we love, but it’s also a time to make connections and get things accomplished.
Amidst Manhattan’s hustle-and-bustle frenetic pace, I’m always thankful to discover pretty spots like these to take in while enjoying an iced tea or cup of coffee. I found this little spot of greenery and was inspired by the way these beautiful flowers grew so boldly in the middle of so much concrete and chaos. It was a reminder to me to bloom and grow, despite the odds against me or the challenges in my way.
May you all remember – like these delicate flowers – to bloom and grow this week. And if you can find a princess dress and ballerina shoes to help you… By all means, don them and walk boldly, my darlings.
Loving this look for fall! If you’ve read my last few posts you probably know burgundy/wine is my favorite fall color this year… And this outfit has so much texture, it just looks so rich and cozy. Best of all, the sleeveless sweater and pants are both 40% off right now!
Hope you’re following along with all my NYFW adventures! You can see behind-the-scenes moments on my Insta Story and Snapchat. And search #TCGatNYFW and #TCGinNYC on Instagram and Twitter for my NYC and NYFW related posts.
A little pouch like this customizable one tied into the bride’s bachelorette theme is perfect for guests to tuck into their purse on the go. It’s filled with a few essentials for late nights… Or rough mornings. Here’s what I packed inside…
Scented Studio was kind enough to gift us all rollerballs of my signature fragrance; Cashmere Gypsy. If you’d like your own, give them a call at 303-333-3315 (they ship!) and mention our blogger party for 25% off.
These Advil packets these are small and easy to travel with. Be sure to tuck in a few… Altitude headaches, too much champagne, or cramps always seem to hit at the worst moments.
The dry air and altitude here in Colorado are brutal on skin and lip balm is the one item I tend to forget on trips. I gave our guests these mini Vaseline lip balms with just a hint of tint to make lips look rosy.
These organic gummy bunnies are perfectly sweet and full of vitamins, which make them a snack that’s both satisfying and healthy. (Not to mention pretty adorable!)
My favorite granola bars to pack on the go? These delicious Kind bars. The peanut dark chocolate flavor will keep both savory and sweet teeth happy and the generous size makes for a bar that’s more filling than most.
These little Altoids are mini-sized, but pack quite the punch! Another item people tend to forget when packing, your guests will be grateful you remembered! Peppermint soothes upset stomachs as well.
Want to see more of the bachelorette party?? Check out my Denver Girls’ Weekend Itinerary for the details on all our stops and a fun-filled itinerary if you’re planning a weekend in Denver. Get a peek at our tablescape and decor details in my Great Gatsby Bachelorette post, complete with all my best tips and advice for planning bridal events!
Gearing up for NYFW and taking a bit of inspo from one of my favorite NYC style mavens… Blair Waldorf. Were you a Serena or a Blair? Any suggestions for NYC coffee/breakfast/photo spots are welcome!!
While living and working in Europe, I collected quite the library of mental notes on the beauty and fashion secrets of European women. I wondered what makes them so alluring, sophisticated, and mysterious?! Many Americans have attempted to discover the mysterious art of the European woman’s je nais se quoi and I was no exception. Although I left Europe with several books on skincare, beauty, and style but no real answer to my question, I did notice a few subtleties that may contribute to that special something women across the pond seem to possess.
One of the first things I noticed was the light-handed makeup application; little-to-none was used (especially on workdays) and yet these women managed to look fresh, glowing, and beautiful. Whereas we American women are often told to cover the tell-tale signs of our sleep-deprived, stressed lives with ever more makeup, these women seemed to illuminate from within using barely-there products. While a major aspect of this is the dedication to skincare most European women maintain, it can’t be argued that their makeup application techniques also play a part.
Staring at my dark circles and blotchy skin in the mirror one morning after a long night at the computer, I decided to recreate the fresh look I wish I had naturally. Many beauty products and years later, I finally figured out a formula that gives this American woman the coverage I feel I need, while feeling light and airy on the skin. Even better, my husband continually compliments me each time I wear this look; telling me I “look so beautiful without makeup”.
So I’m sharing my secrets with you; in the video below, I walk you step-by-step through my “No-Makeup Makeup Look” – sometimes I call it “French Girl Makeup”. I filmed this right after a bachelorette weekend with my friend… So please excuse the results of too much sugar and champagne on my skin! Either way, these products work wonders and I hope you try them… If you do, please let me know how it goes or tag me in a selfie!
As I mention in the video below, this isn’t a “No Makeup Look”… If you’re wanting something with fast application time, take a look at my 5-Minute Daytime Makeup Tutorial. This tutorial isn’t designed to fit within a certain time frame, but is focused on perfecting the skin for an effortless look.
Lip Balm
Find It Here. I love this lip balm because it’s soft and creamy, never greasy. I find it to be a little plumping, and let’s be honest, the packaging looks incredibly chic.
Face Primer
Find It Here. I used to think face primer was an unnecessary extra step in my makeup routine, but now I can’t live without it. This primer smooths over my skin, blurring imperfections, masking pores, and setting the stage to keep my makeup look all day long.
Tinted Moisturizer
Find It Here. A good friend recommended this tinted moisturizer to me and I’m on my second tube. It provides significant sun protection with an SPF of 43. It glides on the skin, giving the skin a smooth canvas and a light dose of color. I rub this product all over my face and down onto my neck. I’m in the color “2”.
Concealer
Find It Here. If you’ve seen my Instagram video with this product, you know how obsessed I am. This concealer is creamy, but not cakey. It provides coverage and highlights at the same time, creating this beautiful, glowy effect. I highlight the middle of my forehead, cheekbones, center of my nose, smile lines, and cupid’s bow. I’m in the color “Ivory”… Go one to two shades lighter than your skin tone to highlight.
Beauty Blender
Find It Here. I’m addicted to this little pink sponge. I wet it under running water, squeeze it out with a towel, and then use it to dab and blend product into my skin. It gives the most dreamy, airbrushed look and blurs imperfections.
Loose Powder
Find It Here. After primer, tinted moisturizer, and concealer, I like dusting my skin with a light layer of loose powder to set the look and give a mattified appearance. This powder doesn’t look cakey or dry; it’s more of a satin finish on the skin. I’m in the color “Desert” and I like applying it with this brush.
Shimmery Blush
Find It Here. A Chanel makeup artist used this beautiful blush shade on me before the Chanel Gala Dinner and I absolutely fell in love. “Golden Sun” is a beautiful, sun kissed shade with just the right amount of delicate shimmer that makes your skin glow. I like using it just under the apples of my cheeks for a tiny bit of contouring and glow-from-within look. I like applying it with this brush.
Bronzing Powder
Find It Here. A cult favorite, “Laguna” is the perfect natural-looking bronzing powder. I like to apply mine as contour powder using the blush brush I mentioned above and carving out my temples, cheeks, and jawline. If you’re looking for a softer, more overall bronzed look you can try slightly bigger, fluffier brush.
Highlighter Stick
Find It Here. I use this creamy highlighter stick by dabbing it lightly onto the tip of my nose, cheekbones, and cupid’s bow to give a soft, pretty glow. I love it because the shade “Luxor” has just a hint of iridescent pink to it, which gives a warmth to my skin.
Cream Eyeshadow
Find it here. This is the best cream eyeshadow… I dab this on every time I want a quick, easy look with just a touch of coverage and sheen. I’m using the color “Bare Study” above but if you’re looking to cover discoloration and veins as well, I’d recommend another one of my favorites “Soft Ochre” which is matte with a more pigmented yellow tone.
Brow Pencil + Brow Gel
Find Pencil + Gel Here. My all-time favorite brow pencil (I wear the color “Taupe”) is creamy, smooth, and fills in sparse brows like none other. I top my brows with the tinted gel in “Medium” to volumize, slightly darken, and keep brow hairs in place.
Eye Liner
Find it here. I’ve been obsessed with this eye liner for years now. It’s so creamy and soft, never irritates my eyes, comes in the prettiest colors, and has a smudger on the end to create blended, smoky looks. I’m using the shade “Intense Ivy” above.
Lash Primer + Mascara
Find Primer + Mascara Here. In the video above, I skip my usual lash primer and volumizing mascara because I currently have lash extensions. Mine are done by Glamour Bar in Denver… If you’re local, mention me/my blog for $50 off. And if you’re interested in lash extensions, keep an eye on my Instagram account… A giveaway and Q+A are coming soon!
Nude Lip Liner
Find It Here. This lip liner in “Pillowtalk” is the creamiest nude-pink lip liner that gives a plump look to lips. I slightly over-line mine and it creates natural-looking fullness and volume.
Lip Crayon
Find It Here. I love this lip crayon in “Rikugien” because it’s such a versatile shade; it looks great on lips any time of the year. I love the natural-looking color and the satin texture. Be sure to apply on top of the lip liner for a more seamless look.
Great post!
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