Fashion's Night Out Chicago

I'm way behind in posting, so you're getting a post dump today in an attempt to quickly catch up so I can bring you Emmys red carpet coverage starting tomorrow.

A bit over a week ago, I was invited to Saks' Fashions's Night Out event. It was definitely a bigger party, and louder party, than the Brian Atwood event that morning.

I dragged my friend Niki along.

But I'm sure the free champagne at least was worth it

Saks had models wearing Brian Atwood shoes

even the ostrich-feather "it" shoe for fall. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I won't be wearing these this fall, or ever really.

We perused the shoes

and did some great people watching

Why didn't I wear my fascinator?

Then we got bored pretty quickly with Saks and moved along to the newly opened TopShop

It's gigantic and definitely worth a visit

Their theme for fall seemed to be "sequins"

Which is fine because I oddly have been having a hankering for sequins myself. Not that I bought anything because the line was ridiculously long.

This was me attempting to take a pic of the makeover stations they had going on for the public, but silly people stepped in my way. Boo!

From there we went to Neiman's where these lovely people were standing inside

and this fortune teller was sitting inside.

Sorry, Saks, but Neiman's definitely had you beat in the entertainment department. And hands down killed it in the food department. There were like 6 food and drink stations on each of their 4 floors.

But forget the food and drinks and even the fortune teller, Niki and I were very entertained by the hats.

I made Niki model some of the hats for you



But then I just had to try this one, for realsies, not for jokesies. I was in love. And then I saw it was made by Philip Treacy, aka milliner extraordinaire for the Royal Wedding. Ooo, I want.
How did y'all spend Fashion's Night Out?

One Day, Two Outfits

The day of Fashion's Night Out was a busy day with two trips to Saks, and not one, but two outfits. So thought I'd let you know what I wore.

The Brian Atwood 10022-SHOE event was at 10 AM, so something a little more demure was necessary, in my opinion. An opinion not shared by some of the folks who showed up in sequins, but hey, not everyone can be EWP. I opted for a feminine dress and kept accessories to a minimum - just went with a watch and diamond studs. So here's what I wore:

Bag: Chloe
Dress: Nanette Lepore
Shoes: Valentino

Then a few hours later, I grabbed my friend Niki, and decided to pump up the style for a little more of a night look. Wearing skinny pants without a big ol top on top was definitely out of my comfort zone, what with the baby blubber left over and all, but I decided to try it out anyway. Got to get out of your comfort zone and try new things! I felt better about my outfit choice when I got this odd compliment from Mr. EWP. I was freaking about the skinny pants post-baby and he asked, "Are you wearing Spanx?" To which I responded that I wasn't and he said, "Nice, good job!" Haha, so good job to me for looking spanx-like without spanx.

Blazer: Gap
Top: Bebe
Earrings: Bebe
Pants: Club Monaco
Shoes: Valentino

Chicago Spotlight: Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago 10022-Shoe & Brian Atwood

I had the great privilege of being invited to the media unveiling of Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago's newly remodeled shoe department.

They remodeled it to look like Saks New York's shoe salon

That one is so big it has its own zip code: 10022-shoe, hence the name of this one.

I'm not going to lie, they definitely needed the remodel. The old shoe department was so sad and dark, not where you want to head to try on sexy designer heels. But the new one is so bright and airy and full of new designers they didn't carry before. And you know how I feel, the more the merrier!

Of course we had to check out the fabulous Brian Atwood collection.
This one was my fave. Who doesn't need a little sparkle in her life?

Speaking of sparkle...

And then sexy shoe god, designer Brian Atwood arrived to cut the ribbon.
Seriously, the man is gorgeous. I was drooling all over the floor. It was a little embarassing.

Once the ribbon was cut, it was time to wander 10022-Shoe and check out all the yummy shoes.

Seriously *drool*

Then I learned that Brian Atwood has a less expensive line called B Brian Atwood. That was fun to learn about. All the yumminess for half the price!

And then I started checking out shoes that were on people's feet.

There was plenty of good shoe watching at the event.

And then I got to meet the very yummy, very sweet Brian Atwood. *swoon*

In between swooning I did manage to spit out a question for Mr. Atwood and asked what he thought was the must-have shoe for fall. To which he responded "My shoe with ostrich feathers. That's a wow shoe, when you walk in anywhere in those, people will notice." And then I, being EWP, gave him this look like he was insane. OSTRICH FEATHERS are the must-have shoe for fall???? Are you kidding me???! And then seeing the incredulousness on my face, he quickly followed up with "And, you know, a platform pump is always good to have." Yes, a platform pump is always good to have. Ostrich feathers.... not so much.
Thanks for inviting me to the event, Saks! It was a blast and you better believe I'll be spending a lot of time at 10022-Shoe :)

Michael Anthony 20th Anniversary Celebration

Last week was Michael Anthony Salon Spa's 20th anniversary celebration. Staff from all 4 salons, plus their new Canadian business partners, and the 20 clients from the photoshoot were all invited.

Look! It's me!

They had the party at this adorable floral shop/event space with a darling outdoor area.

I dragged my friend Kim with me. She was more than happy to show up to an event where people actually dressed well. We'd both seen enough shabby lawyers and were excited to be among stylish stylists. I figured as this was a fun salon event, it was definitely a place to whip out the ol' fascinator. It looked awesome.

I, however, did make a bit of a miss on the dress choice. In my head I know I went up two cup sizes from this whole nursing BabyWP thing, but I guess I hadn't really noticed in real life, so I donned a Nanette Lepore dress that had previously been borderline appropriate in the cleavage department and now was just plain scandalous. And I didn't realize until I got back and looked at the pictures. What a hoochie I am! My weirdo pose isn't helping matters either.
Left is my aesthetician Tilly and right is my colorist Allie. They're both fantastic, you must see them.

Kim decalred at the end of the night "I know why you spend so much time at your salon, these people are so nice!" It's true, the Michael Anthony folks are super wonderful. We had such a great time! And I did score some swag: a yummily soft robe, a giant picture of me (which was a nice gesture, but, um, what on earth am I going to do with that??!), and a $250 gift card. I'm going to spend that in, oh, .23 seconds. Mr. EWP definitely appreciates that last gift. Sadly, no digitals from the shoot, which I was really looking forward to. I'll have to harass them for those.

Help Needed!

I was invited by Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago to attend a private media event Thursday morning for the unveiling of their new shoe department and to meet shoe god Brian Atwood. Then that evening I'm also invited to their big Fashion's Night Out event. Which leads to the most important question of the week: WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR????????

I so far have picked out my foot attire. Since they are the most recently purchased and this season, I'm going with the Valentinos.
But what to wear on top???! I just picked up some adorable black skinny pants from Club Monaco (darn them and their lack of online shopping, so I can't post a pic), which I think would be cute with the heels. *GASP* I know, I'm contemplating wearing pants. What has become of me?

I need your help coming up with possible outfits. Mr. EWP has somehow agreed that I need a new outfit to meet Brian Atwood (I'm not sure what he was smoking at the time, but it'd be nice if he continued to do so). Since this event is in just two days, I don't have time to deal with online purchases and must work with what I can get to around my 'hood. So come up with options that I can pick up at: Scoop, Intermix, Nanette Lepore, Club Monaco, Cynthia Rowley, Marc Jacobs, or any of the many cute boutiques in Bucktown. HELP! HELP!

Please post links to actual pieces or ideas for the outfit in the comments or send me an email.

Possible prize for any suggestions I end up using.

Thanks!
xoxo,
EWP

Neiman Marcus Wine & Shoe Pairing Event

Last week I had the supreme pleasure of being invited by the Waldorf Astoria to attend a Wine & Shoe Pairing at Neiman Marcus. It was small and intimate, but really fun. They'd pair a comfort wine with a comfort shoe, like a spectator Chanel pump. As a non-drinker, I don't know much about wines so I really can't tell you what paired with what, but I can tell you I really did enjoy watching the shoes being walked around by the models. I also enjoyed the dresses they paired them with, but no one was talking about the dresses, so I can't tell you what they wore :( Since my hands were free of wine glasses, I got a hand massage by the people of Fresh. It was divine.

Then our little band of wine tasters/shoe fondlers, made our way to the shoe department where the wine and shoe pairings continued and we were given gift bags that included a $200 gift card to Neiman Marcus. Um... best gift bag ever!

I used my gift card for these simple and useful Tory Burch flats. Lord knows I'll wear them a million times. When it's not Aerosoles soul mate season, it's Tory Burch flat season.

Tory Burch, $235 @

And with my gift card, they were basically free. Who can say no to that?!

I will admit that what I really really wanted were these Valentinos.

Valentino, $645 @

OMG divine. I swear my foot/leg has never looked so darn sexy as when trying on these spiky stilettos. But, sadly, they were not to come home with me. a) I need another pair of black pumps like I need a hole in the head. It's not like I'm working, where on earth would I ever wear them? b) My stay-at-home-mom budget definitely does not allow for $700 Valentino shoes. As much as I would like it to. *sigh*

But I am very excited about the Tory Burches. I wish I had taken my camera to take pics of the event, but it was intimate and I definitely would have been the weirdo snapping pics with my gigantor dSLR. Oh well, maybe next time.

@Available in more colors

Well, That Was a Bust

You may know him as Tim Gunn, but around my house we call him Uncle Tim. And by "we" I mean "me." Why Uncle Tim? I don't know, I guess I just decided he was so very fabulous, that we just had to be related somehow.

Uncle Tim was coming to Chicago last night for a book signing and I was pretty excited. We all know how wonderful our last encounter was where he told me I was fabulous and all my dreams came true. I needed a little more Tim Gunn love. I had to go.

Only problem, my maternity wardrobe isn't exactly what I would call fabulous. Sure it's cute for the most part, but no real head turners in there. It took all my creative genius to come up with an outfit for Fashion's Night Out on Friday. But here I was 3 days later, in need of another fabulous outfit. And it was ridiculously hot out, there would be no pretending I could get away with boots, so no just repeating what I wore Friday night.

In the end I wore an olive brown shirt dress, adorable beige headband, and the "EWP Favorite Things" nude Louboutins. And with a little extra time saved for makeup, I applie the perfect subtle eye, with just a hint of bronze to really rock these almond eyes. In a word, I was pretty hot for a pregnant lady. I envisioned Uncle Tim seeing me with my belly and my 5 inch heels and exclaiming how fabulous I was. It would be love at first sighting of high heels.

And then we got there. Over an hour before the signing. And Borders had run out of the book. After some phone calls we learned that so had the other Borders. And the Barnes & Noble. We had run out of book store options in the city. There would be no book for us to get signed.

And what totally baffled me about this was:
1) There were, tops, 75 people there. Borders seriously didn't carry more than 50 books???! For a signing? On Michigan Avenue? With Tim Gunn??? It seemed like the worst planning in history.

2) I looked around the women waiting and was utterly floored by what I saw. Many, many 50+ year old, completely overweight women, wearing mom jeans and sneakers. As they clutched Tim Gunn's book to their sagging, unsupported bosoms and sweatshirts, I thought to myself "You have never heard a word TG has said. Or even read a word of that book you're holding. And if you have, then you have no idea how to apply it to your life. Please leave." It was a really shocking look at chubby gross middle America. People I'd expect to see at an amusement park. Not a book signing for Tim Gunn.

But since we had no books for him to sign, it didn't make much sense to stand around (in 5 inch heels) for the next hour, just to not meet Uncle Tim at all. So we left. So sad.

Fashion's Night Out - the Outfit

These are the times I wish I had a full-length mirror. Or at least that my husband was around all day everyday in case I needed a photoshoot of myself :)

But, because I'm sure you were dying to know, I did manage to take some (pretty crappy) pics of myself dressed up for Fashion's Night Out. I was a little concerned how hot I could make myself since all my fave go-to hotness wardrobe items no longer fit, but I think I pulled myself together pretty cutely if I do say so myself. It was definitely a night to break out the Loubs or the Prada shoes, but for whatever reason I decided all I wanted to wear in the world were some tall boots. Nevermind that it was 80 out, it was September and gosh darn it, I was going to wear boots. Sorry, Loubs, I'll take you out some other time.

Wish I had a full shot for you, but this is the best you can get.

Top: Pea in the Pod

I am in love with this top. It's cute, it's soft. I need to buy it in every color.

Belt: Banana Republic

Earrings: I forgot, I know it's some brand I always see on celebs in US but I've totally forgotten, sad because I just bought them a couple weeks ago. I blame preggo brain.

Jeggings: Pea in the Pod

Yes, that's right. Jeggings. I'm a total jeggings convert.

Boots (not pictured, but I wish they were): Bandolino

I didn't take my camera to the event because I thought I'd look like a weirdo with a giant camera, but I wish I had. Everyone had cameras! And it would've been great to document the fashion show. Yes, there was a fashion show. Not the most exciting thing in the world, but it did spice up my Friday night. Luckily my friend Niki had her camera, I'll try to steal some pics from her and post them.

Now what will I wear tonight to meet Tim Gunn? (He's doing a book signing on Mich. Ave. tonight)

Fashion's Night Out Chicago!

In honor of New York Fashion Week (I think that's why this goes on, correct me if I'm wrong), cities across the country are participating in Fashion's Night Out. A night of shopping, champagne, and swag. Who could ask for more?

This is the first year Chicago is participating and I am totally going to check it out. Here's a list of all the chicago stores participating.