LE CATCH

It's always great re-connecting with an old high school classmate--but it's especially fun when that classmate designs stylish clothes that complement my wardrobe! Meet Nikki Kule who infuses her classic Breton striped sweaters, herringbone coats, and fur-trimmed parkas with resplendent New York City-chic. Her fall collection may just be her best yet, and it just became available online. I was lucky to catch a preview of the line at a trunk show a few months ago in LA, where I developed a serious case of... I want everything! However, if forced to choose, my personal favorites are the navy cashmere sweater, below, (a luxe riff on the LL Bean classic!), the fur-trimmed green parka, the wool herringbone coat, above, and the striped fur scarf, below. Nikki's look book is also incredibly compelling, well styled and beautifully photographed. Take a look and don't be surprised if you too catch a case of I want everything!

another hot trend we've spotted on the spring 2014 runways: flat shoes.

$79, mango

The intricate bead work around the neckline and the cobalt blue hue add up to major sweater greatness.

1. Mango beaded sweater, $79, mango.com
2. Mango double breasted coat, $169, mango.com
3. Topshop bag, $70, topshop.com
4. Alexander Wang pumps, $525, shopbop.com
5. Current/Elliot leather pants, $658, netaporter.com

With the help of this oversize check print, fashion show goers made a major statement on the streets of New York. I loved seeing this graphic pattern head to toe or even mixed with other prints. The dress above and in the third pic is by Ohne Titel. One could also easily get in on the action with this piece-of-cake Gap sweater, this office-ready Whistles skirt and this J.W. Anderson heather grey jumper.

The jacket and skirt above are by findersKeepers and Cameo respectively.

Dress above by Ohne Titel

Photos: Vogue, Raydene Salinas/HPMG

$340, topshop

In keeping with the pared-down, minimalist theme from yesterday, here's a white leather shift dress that stands out for its fantastic simplicity--and hello-right-now-to-spring wearability.

1. Topshop textured leather dress, $340, topshop.com
2. Erdem earrings, $280, netaporter.com
3. Henri Bendel double finger ring, $78, henribendel.com
4. Meredith Wendell clutch, $195, shopbop.com
5. Diane Von Furstenberg mesh ankle strap sandals, $398, shopbop.com

There's always something quite fun about occasionally busting out the most man-repelling pieces in my closet. Everyone loves to see them--the poofy feather skirt, chewbacca coat etc--except my husband, of course, since he's a man and they repel him. In general, he prefers my outfits simple rather than complicated or clown-like (his words!), but he is also understanding that the ever evolving trends must of course play a role in my choices. Thus, he will be very pleased to learn that the New York runways are dictating a return to clean, modern, pared-down silhouettes. The simple button-down shirt--and interesting versions of it--proved to be the most ubiquitous style, appearing outside of Lincoln Center, too, as shown above and below. Fortunately, it's nothing but wearable with jeans, skirts and everything in between. I'd like to get a jump start on this trend now with these guys from Theory, Madewell, Topshop, and J.Crew (25% off with code FALLSTYLE).

Photo: Style, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar

$129, h&m

This spot-on structured wool motorcycle jacket is still another reason to give thanks for the awesomeness that is H&M's new shoppable site. It's not available in stores, but if it were, it undoubtedly would be sold out everywhere. P.S. It's a little oversize, so you may even want to order a size down.

1. Iris and Ink cashmere sweater, $175, theoutnet.com
2. H&M wool moto jacket, $129, hm.com
3. Henri Bendel stacked ring, $88, henribendel.com
4. Proenza Schouler bag, $1675, luisaviaroma.com
5. Jean-Michel Cazabat pumps, $245, shopbop.com
6. Current/Elliot coated jeans, $208, netaporter.com

There were the fashion shows, the meetings with designers, the mingling with celebrities, and even some fabulous vintage shopping scores (including the bubblegum pink silk dress I'm wearing, above), but the true highlight of New York Fashion Week for me was a dinner out with good friends at The Waverly Inn. Over kale salads, crab cakes, french fries and salted chocolate, we talked books, relationships, work(ing hard!), and fashion, of course. (Everyone agreed that Altuzzara hit a Spring 2014 homerun.) I even got an Instagram lesson from my friend J.J. Martin, pictured above. That we dined in glam central was also exciting--i.e., we were seated across from model Karolina Kurkova (it was comforting to see her actually eat!) and a few tables away from a party Cameron Diaz was hosting. All in all, it was an inspiring fun-filled evening on top of a busy week. Below are some pics, and stay tuned for my favorite trends and takeaways from the the action!

Here I am day one of NYFW outside Lincoln Center. You may recall the J.Crew statement necklace and the Lavish Alice skirt from previous posts. I love how they come together in this outfit to create a funky tribal feel. P.S. If I could do the boots over I would--something a little less heavy but this Joie pair did make running around between shows actually doable.

One of my outfits (yes, that's my torso) made a cameo in a New York Times video (above) about cool elements and patterns from Fashion Week. The blue skirt is actually a dress, the upper half concealed by an old but still very much loved Topshop sweater. I'm toting a Clare Vivier clutch and wearing Zara booties. You can see the video here!

In between shows one day, I slipped into sandals (picked up in Athens!) and roamed around Soho in this recently purchased Asos romper that's as cool and flowy as it looks!

Photo: Hanuk

$92, asos

The colorful embroidery on this sweatshirt is crazy cool--and yet it's still basic enough for everyday.

1. Asos embroidered sweatshirt, $92, asos.com
2. Marcia Moran stud earrings, $98, nordstrom.com
3. Michael Kors watch, $275, shopbop.com
4. Bobbi Brown sheer lip color in Passion Fruit, $25, nordstrom.com
5. Gap leather tote bag, $98, gap.com
6. Diane Von Furstenberg suede pumps, $278, shopbop.com
7. Paige distressed boyfriend jeans, $200, netaporter.com

This instagram pic of uber chic Russian stylist/designer Natasha Goldenberg makes me want to sprint out and buy a huge chain link choker and then put on a similar sweatshirt-pencil skirt outfit. Very single white female of me, but I have no shame. Just determination! So far I've managed to dig up these necklace lookalikes at Topshop, Alexis Bittar and Bauble Bar. Don't be surprised when you see me sporting this very same look soon!