call to arms

I absolutely love fall fashion. Fall is my favorite season to style, my favorite season to wear. I love all the layering possibilities, the boots, the outerwear, the rich textures and darker colors. For the September 2013 issue of Hour, I was able to let loose and indulge in everything I love about fall clothes. Art Director Cassidy Zobl and I started talking about a military-inspired shoot way back in the spring. We wanted to mix men's and women's clothes for an androgynous take on one of the season's biggest trends. With the help of Stephanie Potts, who styled the props - how amazing is the parachute on the cover?! - we put together a shoot that makes me incredibly happy. Check out the complete spread in the September issue of Hour Detroit, on stands now, and below.

metro detroit bride summer/fall 2013

The dreamy cover, photographed by Jenny Risher and styled by Stephanie Potts. Floral styling by Cindy Hicks for Scarlet Poppy Events. Ivy & Aster "Posey" gown, The Gown Shop. Forevermark diamond
engagement ring, Greenstone’s.

It's finally here! My first full issue as editor of Metro Detroit Bride! I am so proud of how this issue turned out - from the cover to Something Blue, everything turned out absolutely gorgeous. I have always loved working on wedding and bridal editorials, and thanks to the amazing team on this book - art director Jessica Decker, associate art director Megan DeKok, and all our talented contributors - Metro Detroit Bride is a labor of love particularly close to my heart. Here are some of the highlights from the issue:

the hunt: chic baby bags

When I found out I was pregnant, like any first-time mom I started researching the shit out of baby gear. What stroller is super light, but still safe? What kind of baby monitor is best, video or audio? Breast pumps, diapers, baby bathtubs, bottle warmers, sleep sacks? How much of this stuff do I really need?

You need a lot of stuff, it turns out. And one thing you definitely need is a bag to schlep it all around in.

Enter the diaper bag. Obviously they need to be functional, but do they need to be so ugly? There are a lot of ugly diaper bags out there. Luckily, there are also some incredibly chic options available, from designers like Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, and Marc Jacobs. Here are just a few of my favorites, but there are plenty more out there. What I love about all of these bags is that they're functional, but I can still picture myself carrying them well after the baby has grown out of diapers. Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to throw personal style out the window, after all.

1/ Rebecca Minkoff Knocked Up Baby Bag
The ultimate chic diaper bag, I fell in love with this beauty the first time I saw it. And how amazing is the name? Complete with stroller straps, bottle-sized pockets, a changing pad, and baby-friendly compartments printed with cute labels like "Mommy's Stuff," this luxe black leather bag is big enough for all of baby's accessories but still incredibly stylish. The price is a little steep - keep in mind this is one baby accessory that will get a lot of use, though, so it's worth the investment (there's also a leather-trimmed nylon version available if you can't justify splurging on the leather).
$550, rebeccaminkoff.com

sneak peek: bridal amazingness

Last week's decades-inspired Metro Detroit Bride shoot was SO GOOD!!! I couldn't be happier with how everything came together, from the gorgeous hair and makeup to the vintage props. The entire crew was amazing, and photographer Joe Vaughn captured some truly beautiful images. I wish I could share the whole thing with you right now, but until the magazine hits this summer, this tantalizing little glimpse will have to do. Seriously, how incredible is this Oscar de la Renta necklace from Roma Sposa? So gorgeous!

here comes the (metro detroit) bride!

Bridal inspirations (clockwise from top left): Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, The Great Gatsby, Madonna, Vera Wang Bridal Spring 2013, a mod wedding, bohemian chic, Veronica Lake, and Princess Grace

I have a big bridal shoot for Metro Detroit Bride this week, and I am so beyond excited for this one. Each look is inspired by a different decade, styled with a mix of current and vintage fashion, jewelry and accessories, as well as vintage props courtesy of my favorite co-stylist, Stephanie Potts. From iconic brides like Grace Kelly and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy to legends like Madonna and Veronica Lake, I'm drawing inspiration from some pretty glamorous places. Be sure to check out the issue when it hits newsstands this summer!

oh baby!

Holy moly, there's a baby in there!

I've been a little distracted lately because, well, I'm having a baby! I'm about five months along, due this October, and I've had baby on the brain since that test came back with two pink lines. Of course I'm still preoccupied with fashion, but now it's mostly about how to dress my growing bump and obsessing over adorable baby clothes. So if I occasionally get caught up and post about strollers, diaper bags, maternity dresses and the like, just know that there will still be plenty of non-baby related fashion goodness in between. :)

the hunt: must-have maxis

A painterly floral print and delicate details make this maxi dress a summer wardrobe must-have.
Greylin Blooming Silk Maxi Dress, $198 at Anthropologie

Now that the weather has finally, gloriously decided it's spring, all I want to wear is dresses. I'll be honest, I don't discriminate when it comes to dress hem length, but I have a soft spot in my sartorial heart for maxi dresses. They're so effortlessly chic - you can easily dress them up or down with the right accessories - and is there anything more comfortable on a warm spring day? Here are a few of my favorites, culled from two of the season's best trends:

Stripes

Stripes were all over the recent runways, from Marc Jacobs' mod tour de force to Kelly Lynne's killer high-waisted pants and striped skirt. Both collections - and these fab maxis - prove that stripes look best in bold black and white.

1. I'm nuts for the subtle nautical details - that's an anchor on the chest!!! - and ombre stripes on this Emma Cook dress. Seriously, I want this in my wardrobe NOW.
Emma Cook maxi dress, $352 at Net-A-Porter

2. Bold and flowing, BCBG's high-low striped dress is perfect for showing off a sexy summer sandal. If the voluminous silhouette isn't for you, try belting it at the waist.
BCBGMAXAZRIA Gia Silk High-Low Striped Dress, $548 at BCBG

3. Want something on-trend that won't break the bank? Mossimo's graphic maxi is as chic as it is easy on the wallet.
Mossimo knit maxi dress, $30 at Target

The Blues

From Tiffany to navy, sky to ocean, shades of blue are one of the key colors of the season (lucky for me - blue is one of my all-time favorite colors).

1. A watercolor print, floaty layers and barely-there straps make this dress perfect for indulging in a little summer romance.
Theyskens' Theory Dressa Marble Print Maxi Dress, $907.50 at My Wardrobe

2. She's the queen of Maxi Dressing, so it's no wonder Rachel Zoe's minty snake print wrap dress is a must-have.
Rachel Zoe Celine Print High-Low Silk Gown, $495 at Nordstrom

3. This gorgeous crochet maxi just makes you long to be on a yacht touring the Greek Isles, doesn't it? So dreamy.
Missoni Crochet Knit Ombre Dress, $3,630 at Mytheresa