RACHEL ZOE PRE-F/W '12

If this collection is any indication of what the new year has in store, then please BRING.IT.ON.  Rachel Zoe has delivered yet another chic and stunning collection. It left me feeling very inspired and excited for 2012 fashion! Looking forward to seeing it in stores! Here are some of my favorite looks...

via www.fashionising.com

WINDOW SHOPPER

Christmas week has arrived and I needed a little pep in my holiday step, so I turned to the city that does Christmas best, New York City. My first trip to NYC was during the holiday season and there was no denying the spirit of the season was in the air. I loved everything about being in the city during this time of the year. Ice skating at Rockerfeller Center, learning how to dress for a real winter, and my favorite - seeing the holiday window displays on 5th Avenue. Forget about Candy Cane Lane or any other neighborhood saturated with tacky blow up Santa's on sleighs and thousands of half blinking lights, the holiday windows blew my mind! They were creative, beautiful and massive! They definitely injected the holiday spirit directly into my veins, causing me to be annoyingly jolly and excited about Christmas! This year is no different and the windows only get bigger and better every year! Here are some of my favs....

Tiffany & Co

Van Cleef & Arpels

Henri Bendel

Bloomingdale's

Saks

Macy's

Barney's

Bergdorf Goodman

 HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

http://facebook.com/thespotbarriologan

 

WATCH THE THRONE #LA

I was able to see two of my favorite hip hop artists perform this past Tuesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Jay Z and Kanye West took the stage for an unforgettable 3 hours! It was their last night of a three night stay in LA. When I first arrived, they informed me that my seats had been upgraded due to the filming of the video for "Ni**as in Paris".  They definitely upgraded me and I couldn't have been more excited!  We were surrounded by Kobe, Matt Barnes, Drake, Big Sean, and many other celebs. This was my fourth time seeing Jay perform and my second Kanye show. But seeing them together is seriously the BEST thing ever! The only way they can top that is by adding Beyonce to the bill next time around! They ended up performing "Ni**as in Paris" a record breaking 10 times that night, and each time the crowd was just as hyped as the first time! It was CRAY! I must admit, my body was sore the next day from going full out with my choreography for the video each time they performed. At least my dream of becoming a Hip Hop video vixen finally came true....well, kinda ;)

STREET AND BOOK SMART TOO

Some of my favorite gifts to give and recieve are books. I LOVE to read! Reading guarantees me time with the person I love the most - ME. I cozy up with a favorite blanket, a glass of wine, and completely loose myself in the pages of my latest read. It's seriously my favorite way to relax and distract myself from any and all stress going on around me. I have a wide range of books that I love. Some are serious, some are funny, some are romantic, some are life changing. All have impacted me in a positive way and have helped me become the wine drinker that I am today! Here are some of my favorite books, that would make fabulous gifts for your loved ones....

DAME ELIZABETH'S DIAMONDS

When I think of old Hollywood Glam one name comes to mind - Elizabeth Taylor. She was the essence of true Hollywood Royalty. Satin gowns, Fur Coats, Rolls Royces, and of course - DIAMONDS! What more does a woman dream of??? Who needs a man when you have all of the above? Get rid of the man, keep the jewelry! Right ladies?! And Elizabeth did just that, after being married eight times to seven husbands, she ended up with a multi-million dollar jewerly collection to help ease the pain of each heartache.  Fortunately, from December 3rd- December 17th, christies.com will put 621 jewels up from her estate with bidding without no reserve -which means, no starting price point, which makes them affordable for all of us who dream of living in a material world. Here are some of my dream pieces that may very well become a reality!

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Diamond Black Onyx and Gold Studs Est.$300-$500

Movado Watch Bracelet Est.$400-$600

Sugar and My Love Affair with Jewelry Gold Charm Bracelet Est.$400-$600

Gold Initial Charm Rings Est.$400-$600

Schlumberger for Tiffany &Co. Leaf Ring Est.$800-$1200

"Elizabeth" Diamond and Gold Nameplate Est.$1000-$1500

Opal and Gold Earrings Est.$800-$1200

Stephen Webster Turquoise, Crystal, Diamond and Gold Earrings and Bracelet Est.$3000-$5000

"Big girls need big diamonds" ~ Elizabeth Taylor

CATBIRD IS THE WORD!

I am in LOVE.....with everything CATBIRD. Not to be confused with the Catdaddy, this amazing store is based out of Brooklyn, NY. They specialize in personalized jewelry, accessories, home gifts, and cards. There are also gifts for him found under the "CATBIRDMAN" category. How cute is that?! Gifts that are unique instantly become "favorites" for your special someone. You can guarantee any gift from Catbird will be his/her favorite this year! Here are some of their Holiday Gift Guides and my personal Catbird Fav!

Alphabet Rings from $52

       JEWELRY GIFTS UNDER $100

       WWW.CATBIRDNYC.COM

BLACK FRIDAY SDSTYLE

Here's a BMCSTYLE guide to the BEST BLACK FRIDAY EVER! I have to admit to you all that I never shop on Black Friday. Mostly, due to my allergic reaction to overly zealous shoppers, vying for the best bargains. I'm not judging anyone, I'd just rather spend a little more on gifts and save my sanity. However, I've decided to give you brave souls out there my best shopping advice to help ensure you have a somewhat enjoyable Black Friday experience.

Step 1. Start loading up on the strongest coffee your little body can handle around 8pm Thanksgiving night. Malls/stores will open at Midnight!

Step 2. Make a shopping list while pumping caffeine into your system. Never shop without a list! It will help you stay on track and on budget, if you believe in those.

Step 3. Dress appropriately. Preferably flat boots, leggings, tunic sweater, and a lightweight jacket. You don't want to have too many layers, it will get hot, running through the crowds and fighting for your lives.

Step 4. Carry a cross body handbag. You need both hands free at all times to carry shopping bags and push people out of your way. (See "Crossover" blog post for suggestions).

Step 5. Make sure to use your department store credit cards and load up on all the incentives they have to offer. Just keep that part to yourself. No one has to know you have credit cards.

Step 6. Check the Simon Mall or Westfield Shopping Mall sites for all the deals your favorite stores have to offer.

Step 7. Celebrate your successful Black Friday shopping day later that night at The Office in Northpark with DJ SEIZE and BEATNICK!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY & HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!! 

http://www.westfield.com/us/

http://www.simon.com/mall/Deals.aspx?id=765

http://www.officebarinc.com/

LA MER-RY CHRISTMAS

Apparently Thanksgiving is next week, which means Christmas is around the corner. Which means it's time for the dreadful gift shopping to begin. I have no problems shopping for myself, or helping others shop for themselves. But there is so much pressure that comes with buying gifts for others. It takes away from all the fun. Instead of enjoying the aroma that intoxicates you the moment you step foot in Bloomingdale's, you feel overwhelmed when you are shopping for someone other than yourself. Instead of being inspired by the amazing holiday decor at Nordstrom, you feel hopeless while riding the escalators, searching for the "perfect" gifts. So, being the thoughtful person that I am,  I've decided to help you all out. Each week I will be posting all the gifts I would LOVE to receive for any holiday or any random day. Some will be extravagant and some will be less extravagant, all will make you grateful you have BMCSTYLE in your lives! (You can email me directly for the address to send "Thank You" gifts to).

My first nifty gifty suggestion are La Mer watches. You can basically design the watch you want for the lucky girl you want to wear it. The face, the band, the charm, it's all up to you! I LOVE LOVE LOVE these watches and they are totally affordable. When your girl opens this up, not only will she think you are incredibly thoughtful and creative, she will also want to spend a little more TIME snuggling up to you! Here are some of my favorites....

www.lamercollections.com