Happy St. Patricks Day

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Wishing you a fabulous day filled with all the gold from the end of the rainbow.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!


Charlotte Ronson fall 2015 New York Fashion Week

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Photos: Cathy O’Brien/Bay Area Fashionista 2015©

Charlotte Ronson threw a party, er, I mean, presentation, of her fall 2015 collection on Friday, February 13, 2015 at The Pavillion at Lincoln Center. The club-like vibe of the runway loop, er, show, er, presentation, showcased a serene collection which was urban, young, and feminine. 

Normally when you see a presentation at Lincoln Center during New York Fashion Week, the models are standing on platforms while guests walk from platform to platform; much like you would slowly wander and stop at a museum. Instead of doing the usual presentation format, Charlotte Ronson broke the “rules” and created a hybrid between a runway show and a presentation. The runway was short and there were no seats. Everyone crowded around a rectangular barrier; only photographers were allowed at the end of the make-shift runway. The show went in a loop, so if someone was standing in front of you, blocking your view, you did not have to fret, the runway show continuously repeated itself for roughly ninety minutes. It was brilliant!

In the background, Samantha Ronson DJ-ed the show and kept a cool, party vibe in the room. If you looked across the runway from where you were standing, you could spot celebrities such as EJ Johnson, son of Magic Johnson and star of “Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.” The environment was cool and hip, setting exactly the right setting for a hip, urban collection. Loved it!

Charlotte Ronson’s fall / winter 2015 collection was inspired by the “serenity of nature coupled with an abstract urban setting.” The collection featured late 1960’s inspiration, delicate details, feminine materials, clean lines, soft texture, and a soft color palette. My two favorite pieces from the collection were the purple trench coat, and the burgundy high neck lace dress. Love!

To shop Charlotte Ronson’s current collection, please click here.

To view the entire collection, please view the IMG Fashion video below.


Chloe Drew shoulder bag | The new “IT” bag for 2015

chloe drew shoulder bag

Pictured: Chloe Drew shoulder bag in off-white for spring 2015

There is a new IT bag in town! The Chloe Drew is what’s hot on the street for 2015.

Spotted on the shoulders of fashion insiders, influencers, socialites, and more at fashion week in New York, Paris, London, and Milan, the Chloe Drew has made quite a splash. Despite being around for a couple of seasons already, the Chloe Drew has come out of its’ shell for spring 2015 and has exploded as the only shoulder bag worth dropping a dime on for 2015.

This beautiful shoulder bag is made in Italy and comes in three sizes; medium, small, and mini. The clutch version does not count. 😉

The Chloe Drew is popular in any variation the iconic design house has put out there. It has been spotted on fashionable shoulders in color blocking, leopard print, and solid hues. Any color does the trick when it comes to this “IT” bag du jour.

The small and mini Chloe Drew are pure shoulder bags with a classic chain strap. The medium version offers an additional top handle adding a small satchel option to the handbag. While the medium version has a lot of “IT” factor, the small and mini are the most popular sizes on the street.

With the 1970’s being the trendy decade of the moment, the Chloe Drew offers that “saddle bag” look, which was popular in the 1970’s, with a flap and brass closure. The mini stick on a chain locks the closure and twists it to one size for added security. The interior of the Chloe Drew offers a zipper pocket and an open pocket which can help keep you organized. Love that!

As someone who feels the need to always own an “IT” bag du jour, I ran out and purchased the small Chloe Drew in off-white. Although it may sound like an impulse buy, at these prices, buying a handbag is never an impulse buy. I have needed a cream or off-white shoulder bag with gold-tone hardware for quite come time. I also happen to be a huge fan of Chloe handbags. I already own a Marcie from several years ago and Paraty from two years ago. I love the quality and craftsmanship of Chloe’s handbags. They are top-notch, and able to take a beating, remember I have three kids, without looking like they have been worn since exiting a store’s shelf.

Unlike some “IT” bags from seasons’ past, the Chloe Drew is not impossible to get your hands on; chances are you can find the size and color you want in stock! To make the Chloe Drew even more attractive, the price point is fair; it covers the craftsmanship and quality fabrications without being insanely priced; like the Chanel Boy bag which starts at around $4500!

The Chloe Drew is not a heavy handbag. The interior is roomy. My small Chloe Drew can fit a wallet, sunglasses, lipstick, keys and iPhone with room to spare. Even the mini is fairly roomy. If you require more the space, the medium might be the right size for you. 

The closure is easy to use and with twist lock, it feels secure while walking around the city. The closure also has a magnetic feature to it which helps the top of the clasp find the bottom without fussing. This make it easy to go in and out of the bag while on the run; and if you have kids, you know what being on the run can actually be! Let’s just say, sometimes you run in high heels in places high heels should never be worn!

The final verdict on the Chloe Drew shoulder bag is that this is a handbag which is easy to wear, has classic appeal, can be dressed up or down, offers investment quality, and has that ultimate IT factor. Five out of five stars; what more could you ask for?!

If you are an IT bag seeker like me, here are a few beautiful Chloe Drew handbags for spring 2015 I found around the web. I hope you find the Chloe Drew of your spring 2015 dreams! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉