Fashion Week Spring '16 Shoe Picks

We picked out some Fashion Week favorites for Spring '16. We love these edgy, eye catching and unique looks from Paris, New York, Milan, and London. Pop colors, fun textures and shiny embellishments are definitely on trend.

We can't wait to see these on the street this Spring!

Lanvin: bold, blue and beautiful

Mary Katrantzou: feminine, floral and funky

Versace: vivid and vivacious

Pucci: furry, fun and fabulous

Pam Hogg: perfectly playful platforms

Marc Jacobs: eye-catching embellishments

MM6 Maison Margiela: fab flatforms

Ashley Williams: fun with a friend

Chanel: clear and chic

Anya Hindmarch: rad and retro

Rodarte: geometric, gold and glam

Balmain: green for a goddess

Miu Miu: terrific tribal patterns

Esteban Cortezar: crystal clad sandals

Gucci: sexy, spiky statement pieces

Images from vogue.com, Getty Images, and footwearnews.com

Shh! Our Favorite Fashion Steals of the Week

We love finding incredible fashion pieces in the most unexpected places. 

This week, we searched high and low and found these unbelievable deals - the fabrics, textures and styles are the same as high end designer but for a fraction of the price. Most sites have additional ongoing promotions, so you can even get it for less! No one will believe how much you paid for these amazing steals!

Buy them here:
Old Navy Textured Cocoon Coat $75; Belle & Sky Lace Chiffon Blouse $24.99; Free People Vegan Leggings $98; Aeropastale Merci Merci Purse $16; Zara Enamel Earrings $15.90; Zara Strappy Heels $39.99

Fall Weekend Getaway: Berlin

Early fall is a great time to be in Berlin! Berlin is a great walking city and the Fall weather was perfect for discovering the city. We got a hotel in a neighborhood called Friedrichstadt in the northern part of the old Mitte district, which is a trendy area full of restaurants and shops. From here, we hopped into a cab and arrived in Kreuzberg, an alternative, artsy neighborhood with lots of great boutiques and other independent shops. 

For our first stop in Kreuzberg, we went to Voo Store a cool concept store that caters to a well dressed alternative crowd. 

Wearing my flying bird earrings from 24 Colours

At 24 Colours, we found some funky costume jewelry and other unique pieces.

Closeup of my new jewelry from 24 Colours

We ended the day with a glass of bubbly rose back in Mitte at Galeries Lafayette's elegant champagne bar.

My parents :)

We started off the next day at the Bauhaus Art Museum, which was formerly the famous Bauhaus art school. 

The Bauhaus Museum shop features sleek minimalist yet functional design.

Afterwards, we had an amazing lunch at Monsieur Vuong, a famous Vietmnamese restaurant in the Mitte. 

We visited some great shops in the Prenzlauerberg neighborhood, one of my favorites was Isobel Gowdie where I saw an amazing vintage Isabel Marant Chanel-style jacket. 

Claudia Skoda is known for unique knits

Baerck shop

Jewelry at Baerck

Christian Metzner bracelet at Baerck

Berlin Fashion Week darling Lala Berlin's boutique was another highlight.

We stopped for a German snack - a delicious croissant pretzel!

We wrapped our afternoon of shopping at The Apartment, an avant-garde shop in an unmarked building. It’s only sign is a spiral staircase with an empty hammock. Unfortunately they don’t allow pictures, the picture below is from hipshops.com.

Apartment's stock features a lot of grey and black deconstructed, minimalist designs and leather.

We ended the evening with some German fine dining at Paris Moskau, a beautiful restaurant in a historic building.

Bali: Paradise at the End of the World - Part 2

We had a wonderful time in the cultural hub of Ubud, but we wanted to get back to the beach after a few days in a bustling city. There are a chain of islands off the main land, that in recent years have become more accessible to tourists. We arranged a taxi & ferry ticket to the beautiful island of Nusa Lembongan. The closest island off the shores of Bali (only 1/2 hour by speed boat), Nusa Lembongan has many hotels and bungalows, restaurants and small beach coves to explore by motorbikes. It is a wonderful place to have some adventures or relax and have some fun on the crystal blue waters. 

Waiting for the ferry to Nusa Lembongan

Boats dot one of the many beaches on the Island

View from our hotel, Batu Karang Lembongan Resort & Day Spa

We stayed at the beautiful Batu Karang Lembongan Resort & Day Spa, built on a hill overlooking the bay. You get stunning views from anywhere in the hotel, including our bathroom! 

We had a private villa with an outdoor shower, bathtub and balcony overlooking the calm aqua sea.

Our private outdoor bathroom

Batik Saris and Textiles 

The Deck Cafe & Bar  has a delicious menu and stunning views

We loved eating lunch at The Deck Cafe & Bar with beautiful views of the shore. They have a delicious menu of salads and sandwiches, with great music and free wifi. We also ate a delicious dinner at Indiana Kenanga, a luxurious boutique hotel started by two French designers.

You also have the opportunity to visit the island, Nusa Ceningan by crossing a wood bridge by foot or motorbike. This tiny island has only been accessible for the last few years by bridge and is still mostly undeveloped. You get a real sense of authentic Bali life before the arrival of tourists, on this small island. There are some beautiful parts of this island like the Blue Lagoon with the most turquoise waters in Coves with immense waves, a surfer's dream. You can stay at the Le Pirate beach club, a hip boutique hotel with a good restaurant. If you are looking for an authentic experience, the island is inhabited by mostly fisherman and Sea Weed farmers that dry their goods along the dirt roads.

Crystal clear turquoise waters

Relaxing on a hammock 

 

Walking across the two islands

Blue Lagoon

Fishermen and sea weed farmers inhabit the island

Water activities are a large part of island life. Scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling and kayaking are popular along the many reefs, coves and mangroves. 

Sunset view from the hotel

Our final destination was the bustling city of Seminyak, back on the main island. We left rural beach life and arrived at quite the opposite- the modern and hip W Retreat & Spa Bali. This Internationally renowned hotel boasts luxurious edgy accommodations, hip menu and live DJs all day long. When we checked in, we even received Candy Martini welcome drinks to our room!

Sunsets and music at the W hotel

Catching some rays at the pool

Graffiti art in the lobby

Seminyak has some of the best shopping in Bali. There are many great restaurants and boutiques from both international designers and local crafts. One of my favorite boutiques was My Cup of Love, filled with handmade jewelry and houseware. I love their bright Dream catchers and jewelry!

Fun Street Art

Awesome French designed sunglasses

A wall of flowers for a shrine 

We also had a wonderful experience taking a sunset beach photo shoot with photographer, Fabio Lorenzo. I had brought my wedding dress all the way to Bali for this moment and it was worth it! 

We had a fun time posing and running around the beach and it was a perfect end to our wonderful trip through Bali.