what's in the bag: rachel zoe nico messenger bag

Rachel Zoe Nico Messenger Bag, $525 at Neiman Marcus - Somerset Collection.

On Monday I'm styling a fashion editorial for one of our local magazines, which means I'm spending this week sending out sample requests and pulling product from local stores and designers. It's like fantasy shopping - I get to take whatever I want, without spending a dime. But just like Cinderella when the clock strikes midnight, the dream ends after the shoot, when everything has to be returned - le sigh.

Yesterday while I was pulling at Neiman Marcus, I fell in love. A bright red, structured bag caught my eye - I literally gasped. As I ooh-ed and ah-ed in the middle of the store, I learned the beauty in my hands was the Rachel Zoe Nico Messenger Bag. I added it to the pile of goodies I was borrowing for the shoot, and when I got everything back to the home office, I decided to take Nico for a little test drive. Just how much of my stuff could this baby handle?

altuzarra for j.crew

Joseph Altuzarra and a model wearing the
Altuzarra for J.Crew Sabrina Dress, $228

In celebration of his CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund win, Joseph Altuzarra has created an absolutely fantastic capsule collection for J.Crew. Available online now and at J.Crew's Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan on April 23, the seven-piece collection is a very French interpretation of some of J.Crew signature preppy pieces. Inspired by Brigette Bardot and his Parisian upbringing, Altuzarra used lots of gingham plaid and sailor stripes to create a collection that begs to be worn with a tousled beehive and winged liquid liner.

See the complete collection below, then head over to jcrew.com to shop the collection, read a q&a with the designer, and learn more about his inspiration. Oh, and you can also preview the seriously amazing collections created by CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runners-up Pamela Love and Creatures of the Wind.

the hunt: wedge sneakers

All spring long, the fashion world has been losing its collective mind over wedge sneakers. It all started with Isabel Marant, and now everyone from Marc Jacobs to Ash is getting in on the action. At first, all I could think was, "Really? Does no one else remember how tacky high-heel sneakers turned out to be? Does no one else remember those '90s disasters with the gum rubber stilettos?" (shudders violenty)


Well, I remember the ghosts of high-heeled sneakers past, so when it became clear that wedge sneakers were indeed having a major moment for spring, I started researching them with some definite trepidation. I was a sceptic - and then I saw these:

Nike x Liberty wedge sneaker

drinking and dining in denver

Downtown Denver.

Who knew that Denver has such an incredibly vibrant and varied culinary scene? Definitely not me. When I visited the Mile High City to see the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective at the Denver Art Museum, I had no idea how well I would eat while there. Or how much beer I would drink. Seriously, beer is a very big deal in Denver, and I drank more beer in one week than I have in the past year. But back to the food. From brunch and bloody mary's to Buenos Aires-style pizza, the food and drink in Denver was just as incredible as the couture in the exhibit.

yves saint laurent: the winner

Congratulations to the winner of our Yves Saint Laurent giveaway, Autumn Cayleigh! The ultimate YSL beauty package, courtesy of Neiman Marcus at the Somerset Collection, is on its way to your doorstep - enjoy!!!

And thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway. You all shared some incredible beauty tips that I can't wait to put to good use! Thank you all for reading paper + cloth!

yves saint laurent: the shoes

One of the most exciting parts of a vacation - for me, anyways - is putting together the outfits that I'm bringing with me. I usually get a little carried away and pack way too many shoes, more than I could ever wear in the brief amount of time I'll be away, but my trip to Denver was different.

For Denver, I only needed to pack one pair of heels.

Generously gifted to me by Neiman Marcus (have you entered the amazing beauty giveaway they're sponsoring?), these nude leather Tribtoo pumps were the only heels I needed in Denver. The weather was warm, the sun shining, spring was in the air, and these shoes went with everything. I was so excited to honor the house of Saint Laurent throughout my stay in Denver - here's how I wore these gorgeous shoes throughout my trip:

watch this: art beat tour of 'yves saint laurent: the retrospective'

Can't get enough of Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective? Yeah, me neither. Check out this PBS segment on the exhibit - Denver Art Museum director Christophe Heinrich and exhibit curator Florence Muller give us a tour and some incredible insight into the importance of Saint Laurent's work.

yves saint laurent: the exhibit

The iconic Mondrian dress (1965)
© Foundation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent, Paris
Photo A. Guirkinger

If you do one thing this summer, book a flight to Denver and see Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective at the Denver Art Museum. The exhibit, which is having its exclusive U.S. showing in the Mile High City, documents 40 years of haute couture by one of the most influential designers of all time. For anyone who loves fashion, it's an inspiring, fascinating journey through sartorial history and an absolute must-see.