Aside from all the fantastic outerwear and pants for fall, fall market was also all about some awesome girl power!   We have met the most fantastic women on this trip!  The fun started the morning we left for NYC….we meet Ana & Mariana.  We first spotted each other in the security line at the airport, then at the same gate then, of course as fate would have it, on the plane.  They were seated directly in front of us!  That’s when Ana popped her head over her seat and introduced herself.  Enough with all the flirting and winking, right Ana is from Madrid and future showroom owner and Mariana is from Argentina and has an incredible handbag line, Mikai.  Mikai is the first line we bought for fall…right off Jet Blue!

awww....there they are, Ms Ana and Ms Mariana

I just had to pan back and get a full shot. How cute are they??

Below are a few shots of Mariana’s fabulous handbag line.  The leather and production is all out of Argentina.  Great everyday handbags that I would love to carry around well, everyday!

overnighter bag Look at that color!!

pompom bag. Love the size. LOVE the pompom.

small bandolera. Have you seen a cooler crossbody?? I don't think so!

Here we are after we ran into each other a SECOND time during our trip, right outside the Lyell store.

Alice in Wonderland fans will know I’m talking about the release of Tim Burton’s take on the classic Carroll story. A while back, I posted about Alice and was eagerly anticipating the unveiling of exclusive Alice designs for Printemps in Paris. Somehow, I completely forgot about it until I started thinking about who I could get to go to see the movie with me tonight. Surprise, surprise, they’ve been up for over 2 weeks now!!! In case you haven’t seen them, here’s a glimpse.

First, Alexander McQueen. {I have been struggling with what to say about his passing. I just adored him and what he brought to the world of fashion and am so, so sad that he is gone. The world of fashion won’t be the same without him.}

Chloe

Nicholas Kirkwood -- "This time, I figured, why not just pile as much as I can on top?”

Ann Demeulemeester

Maison Martin Margiela

images via focusonstyle.com and style.com

Happy March!  A new month, a new cover story  This months’ cover story idea started with the location hopes of the beautiful Chicago Botanic Garden (I was hoping for some high heat and humidity… maybe in the tropical greenhouse??), but unfortunately (for my skin) and THANKFULLY we ended up at Phyllis Musical Inn.   It’s honestly so much fun for Brandon and I to collaborate with some crazy talented people!

Top billing goes to Karl Rothenberger who went above and beyond on this story.

The talented crew...There's Brandon sporting her Sonia Rykiel for H & M sweater and to the left is our amazing hair/makeup artist, Lynda. We were thrilled to have had the chance to work with Lynda. Lynda is originally from London, from there has lived in Paris, NYC, Miami and now our fair city :)

Nazik was absolutely perfect for this story

phyllis' equipped with DJ booth

and beer

trust me, the more knick knacks the better!

The lovely bartender at Phyllis' is buying this dress and tried on the leather sleeves!

Many thanks to Karl, Lynda & Nazik!!

Thank you to everyone at Phyllis Musical Inn!

Phyllis Musical Inn

1800 W Division St

Chicago, IL 60622

We saw so many amazing pants in NYC last week! For Fall 2010, it is all about the pants. Harem pants, soft pants, leggings, patchwork, panelling… When Arlene and I started this website, we were pretty adamant that we would sell only a tiny offering of pants (knowing that finding the perfect pair of jeans is one of the most tortuous undertakings that any woman can endure). Well this season we’re breaking all of our own rules! Just look at all the fabulous pants that made their way down the runway.

Leggings and panelling at Rag and Bone and Derek Lam…

and at Ohne Titel and The Row…

and from a couple of TwentyThirtyForty.net’s faves, Gar-de and Mason…

And lots and lots and lots of soft pants. My favorite — mmmmm, so cozy. 

Acne

Costello Tagliapietra, Max Mara, and The Row…

and some super soft and slouchy offerings from Loeffler Randall. We adored her seashell pocket pant from last Spring, so we’re totally jazzed about these!

and, of course, the lovely Rachel Comey (quickly becoming my very favorite pant designer)

We’re just barely entering the Spring season, there’s still snow on the ground here, and all I’m looking forward to is next fall! The world of fashion is soooo confusing, but bring on the pants!!

all runway images via Style.com

We are big Rachel Comey fans. To me she has that same quirky, lux, creative vibe that Ms Jane Mayle was so famous for.  I love the way she plays with her textures, colors and her irresistible prints!   Always current, always timeless.  We could not wait to see the collection first hand in her showroom.  The showroom was a treat in itself…very warm and special.

These are just two small shelves in her beautiful space...souvenirs, collections, books, pictures. Inspiration everywhere.

floor to ceiling bookshelves. LOVED the beamed ceiling.

great purple chaise tucked away off to the side :)

look at that awesome flap bag next to Spud!

my favorite were the huge windows with all the great plants lining the sills

Rachel has been doing clogs and versions of the clogs for many seasons

Rachel's beautiful collection

The fabulous Rachel Comey

Thank you Taisa!!  Thank you Rachel!

So sorry for the lag in posts, just needed to recharge and regroup  NYC was an incredible time to say the very least!  Fall looks really strong and everyone’s taking the basics to a new level. There’s so much to tell you all!   First off, much fun at LD Tuttle…..great shoe appointment topped off with some streetstyle.

LD Tuttle's famous platform wedges

Tiffany Tuttle also produced a great collection of rounded toes

You have to see this one up close...cool, right?

LD Tuttle shares her space w/some fantastic jewelry designers.

That choker is right up my alley

Outside LD Tuttle. Love those glasses (clear lucite) and those loafers, they look great on her.

Quick, quick post….we are having such a great time!  We’re back in NYC, this time to get down and dirty and go shopping!!  Shopping for twentythirtyforty.net.  NYC never changes…fabulous style at every corner, good coffee, food, food, food, fantastic reps and friends :)….topped with sunshine.  Couldn’t of been a better Sunday in NYC.

Great style sightings EVERYWHERE. I could not resist snapping this charming girl in purple coat and purple handbag.

I had to snap this one too. He layered his pants with shorts!

our most adorable rep, Amy with Loeffler Randall

our other most adorable rep, Jen with Gar-de

We just had to visit.... :[ I find it interesting that 2010 just disappears into the flowers.

we squeezed in a yummy late brunch at The Standard Grill

Kissing S & P shakers at The Standard Grill

Our last appt of the day w/the fabulous Gary Graham

Ms Eliane sharing with us the inspiration board at Gary Graham

and the most amazing collections to wrap up our day. Thanks Eliane!!

One of the most important pieces in a wardrobe for me is outerwear.  Being in Chicago, outerwear comes in real handy 8 out of the 12 months a year.  Half the time my outfit is my outerwear!  Great to see such a variety…layered, color, color blocking, vests.  Lots & lots to choose from.  Here are a few stunners to look forward to this fall.

Images via style.com

from top to bottom:  Boy by Band of Outsiders, Chris Benz, Acne, Zero+Maria Cornejo, Boy by Band of Outsiders, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Acne