LE CATCH

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!

$116, warehouse

This embellished dress is not only Miu Miu cute but thoroughly throw-on-and-go easy. Love that!

1. Warehouse embellised dress, $116, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
2. Noir earrings, $57, theoutnet.com
3. Kenzo bracelet, $205, netaporter.com
4. Lizzie Fortunato clutch, $333, shopbop.com
5. B Brian Atwood metallic leather and snakeskin sandals, $375, saksfifthavenue.com

From the looks of things, we have a new "it" bag on our hands. Meet the M2Malletier. Clean and modern looking, with a signature top handle, the Barcelona-made bag is all the rage with fashion insiders from W Magazine editors to stylists and street style stars Miroslava Duma and Caroline Issa. I love the chic (and refreshingly original) colors it comes in, but like all "it" bags, they're hard to come by. You can find a few styles here.

Photos: M2Malletier

$198, j.crew

When you arrive at Lincoln Center for a show, you face a fashion editor's "moment of truth." As you make your way through the photographer's gauntlet, either the the camera lenses get raised and pointed in your direction...or they don't. Of course, there is more to life than passing this test, but it's obviously more fun to get the "P!" And, unless you're Anna Wintour, it's typically your outfit and sometimes even just the right accessory that seems to make the difference. Yesterday as I was struggling to get it together for said gauntlet walk, I pulled out this necklace and decided to give it a whirl. Thirty minutes later, the bulbs were flashing. Needless to say, I think it's a keeper!

1. Alexander Wang sweater, $275, revolveclothing.com
2. J.Crew necklace, $198, jcrew.com
3. Zara chain link necklace, $19, zara.com
4. Gap clutch, $29, gap.com
5. Givenchy boots, $1250, netaporter.com
6. Kenzo skirt, $342, netaporter.com

Fashion Week may be about dressing for attention, but the woman pictured above proves that dressing up basics can be just as compelling, if not more so. I'm loving her (past season CH Carolina Herrera) classic pumps the most--they literally elevate her outfit, after all--and it didn't take me long to find a similar pair, thanks to J.Crew, which, as fate would have it, is offering 25% off all shoes (and bags!) through September 8. Oh, and you might also find other tempting on-sale basics there, such as these everyday wearable block-heeled boots (love the faded black suede!), these ballet slippers and this leather clutch. Use the code EXTRAS at checkout.

Photo: Chicismo

$60, topshop

It seems that every fashion editor in New York City got the memo to wear a skirt for the first day of New York Fashion Week--or at least the ones I spied on my way into Lincoln Center this morning. This sleek wrap skirt would have fit right in.

1. Isabel Marant sweater, $520, netaporter.com
2. Ray Ban mirrored sunglasses, $165, shopbop.com
3. Asos leather clutch, $75, asos.com
4. Michael Kors ankle strap heels, $395, shopbop.com
5. Topshop wrap skirt, $60, topshop.com

$278, j.crew

In prepping for New York Fashion Week--i.e., packing my bags at the 11th hour--I rounded up my favorite new fall pieces in my closet, including these J.Crew block-heeled boots. Note: the perfect faded black shade. Not only will they be perfect for running around in between shows, but back at ho-hum home, too. (P.S. They're 25% off through September 8.)

What I'd wear underneath this outfit-making buffalo check coat is almost irrelevant--it's just that good!--but it would look something like this...