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Designer Nick Verreos launches his new Spring dress collection today at Dillard’s in Scottsdale !

Karen McKnight — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:29:56 +0000

Project Runway designer Nick Verreos is in Scottsdale today to launch his new line of Spring dresses, carried exclusively at Dillard’s. The collection features several shape-enhancing dresses in vibrant colors, soft jersey fabrics and the feminine draping that Nick is famous for.

I met Nick yesterday ( he is charming and hysterically funny, by the way! ) and he shared his thoughts on developing this collection and all the details that went into it.

“I wanted to give women the same red carpet style that I’ve done for celebrities at an affordable price point. The dresses are priced from $108 to $168 and they’re all very flattering to a real woman’s figure. One thing I’ve noticed when I’m styling is that even tall, thin models think they have flaws or things they’re not comfortable with about their bodies. I try to emphasize the feminine, bringing things in on the waist and putting the focus on flattering necklines or offering a flirty sleeve that can be worn in a couple of ways for more coverage on the arm. And I love color ! So I always encourage women to take these dresses into the dressing room and just try them on…adding color into your wardrobe just brightens every girl up !”

One of the first things you’ll notice about these dresses is the soft fabrics; every time our model appeared in a new dress, she said “This is so comfortable !”

I loved this little hot pink number; from office to night out in 5 seconds flat !

This was another one of my favorites; see how the sleeves are draped on the shoulder ?

You can also wear it like this so it’s not so bare in the underarm area… genuis !!

This is Nick, posing with my lovely daughter Gabriele, who is definitely not 6 feet tall. She loved this dress because she’s a little self-conscious right now after having her baby. I think she looks amazing, but we girls are so hard on ourselves sometimes, aren’t we ?

Geez Louise. I’d kill to look like that again…

If you can make it to Dillard’s today, Nick will be hosting a fashion show, offering his unique brand of styling tips straight from the red carpet and undoubtedly completely entertaining you with his sparkly, funny self.

He’s like a bright ray of sunshine that will have you giggling like a schoolgirl as soon as you meet him, cross my heart and hope to die.

He’ll be upstairs in the dress department from 2 to 3:30 today at Dillard’s in Scottsdale Fashion Square. Some lucky girl is going to win a personalized styling session with Nick including a Nick Verreos dress and accessories, (a handbag and shoes ) from Dillard’s. That drawing takes place at 3 p.m.

I hope it’s you !

Happy Mother’s Day !

Karen McKnight — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:11:37 +0000

Wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day, filled with love and happy times…

I’m spending mine with my daughter and her absolute best gift to me ever in the history of time, my granddaughter, Baby Roz.

It just doesn’t get any better than this…

I’m in love.

Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours !

Punked at the Met Ball: My picks for best punk fashion, hair, makeup and attitude !

Karen McKnight — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:16:11 +0000

This year’s Met Ball Gala may go down in history as one of the strangest Red Carpet events ever. There was confusion and chaos, which in hindsight makes perfect sense, since this year’s fashion exhibition at the Met is Punk: from Chaos to Couture.

Personally, I thought it was delightfully entertaining !

Like in this photo, where Jennifer Lawrence is petting Sarah Jessica Parker’s astounding Philip Treacy mohawk headpiece.

That thing was fantastic…

Sarah Jessica Parker was fantastic from head to toe… she wore a Giles Deacon gown and custom plaid Christian Louboutin boots.

Sarah was like, “Go big or go home.” I’ll bet she had more fun than anyone there.

The stars seemed a little confused by the whole punk thing and lots of them just pretty much ignored it and turned up in glamorous ball gowns that were just not capable of making a splash at this event.

But others, like Miley Cyrus, managed to get it right. She wore a Marc Jacobs fishnet dress and gets my vote for best punk hair.

For best punk makeup, I gotta go with Ginnifer Goodwin…

and January Jones. Hers is sorta creepy, in a Boy George kinda way, but this one’s never afraid to take risks.

I loved the people who celebrated punk and seeing how they interpreted the look.

Like designer Zandra Rhodes…

My vote for best punk couple goes to Sienna Miller, in a fab studded jacket and headband from Burberry and her boyfriend Tom Sturridge.

Model Cara Delevinge also wore Burberry – it makes sense that a British brand would be able to nail this, so to speak. In case you didn’t know, punk music originated in England in the 70′s before it jumped across the pond and landed in New York.

And then there was Madonna. How I love this woman.

She sorta took everyone to school in her Givenchy jacket, ripped tights, thigh-highs-no-pants, studs and chains look.

The thing about punk is it’s an attitude. An anti-establishment, I-don’t-care -what-you-think, spiked-up, safety-pinned rebellion.

So it almost doesn’t matter what she wears, Kristen Stewart is Hollywood’s punk. She’s always been confounded by, rebelled against and totally unimpressed with the whole Hollywood thing.

Plus, she’s got the scowl down.

Oh, Kristen, you’re so naughty.

OK, just 2 more pics I gotta show ya because one is just horrifyingly awful…

wait for it…

Good gawd, it’s Kim Kardashian ,wearing some short of bad lawn chair fabric from the 70′s. Also, attempting the Angelina Jolie leg trick, while she’s pregnant.

And doesn’t Kanye look overjoyed ?

No, he does not.

This is what overjoyed looks like…

Giselle, I’d just like to thank you for acting like a total doofus and not giving a crap about what anybody thinks.

That’s punk.

Take flight in Chanel’s new Papillon makeup collection; see our step-by-step makeover to create your own look !

Karen McKnight — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:16:50 +0000

Inspired by the color of butterfly wings, the dazzling new L’Ete Papillon de Chanel makeup collection has just launched. We’ll show you how to create a new summer look in our step-by-step makeover and highlight some of the amazing new products in the line !

It’s a delicious new color palette; you’ll find cool aquas, warm peach tones and glittering golds for eyes, alongside bright blues and yellows in the new Inimitable mascaras.

These are waterproof !

The Stylo Eyeshadows, pictured on the left, are light and creamy and perfect for building color on your lids.

We wanted to see how the experts apply this shimmering new palette, so we asked Chanel makeup artist, Arielle Rondeau from Saks Fifth Avenue, to makeover our model.

You might recognize her; she’s the very lovely Kira Brown, aka Downtown Kira Brown on Twitter.

Kira agreed to appear, sans makeup for before and after photos, and can I just say that is an amazing act of bravery in itself ?! Then again, who looks this good without makeup ?

Sorta disgusting, huh ?

We gotta start with the “Before” photo, and just so you know, I did not do any airbrushing on this photo. Kira has beautiful skin to begin with…

Arielle started by moisturizing Kira’s face and lips; all she’s wearing in the photo above is Rogue Coco Shine Baume, which is a very French term for lip balm ! She applied a light layer of Vitalumiere Aqua Skin Perfecting Makeup, a touch of Blush Rose Envoille and Soleil Tan Sheer Illuminating Fluide to highlight the T area. On her lips, she’s wearing Envolle Lip Gloss.

Then she applied the Jade Shore Stylo eyeshadow on Kira’s eyelids.

This is rolled on and then lightly patted to blend. How gorgeous is this ?

Next, she applied the Black Stream Stylo eyeshadow along the lash line, by turning the pencil around and using the edge. It’s a genius design for lining.

Plus, you don’t need to worry about drawing a precise line; you just draw it across the lash line and smudge with your finger.

Arielle did the same thing on the lower lash line, using the Pink Lagoon shade.

Then, the Cool Gold Stylo was used to highlight the inner eye corners and just a short swoop under the brow.

Arielle applied a coat of the new Inimitable Waterproof mascara in Noir (black) and voila – the Butterfly emerges !

How gorgeous does she look ?!! I think the combination of the 3 Stylo colors bring out Kira’s beautiful eyes to the ultimate effect and yet she doesn’t look overly made up. It looks very natural, don’t you think ?

Then our conversation went like this…

Me to Kira: OK, seriously, you are glowing.

Kira: I am glowing, huh ?

Me to Arielle: Why is she glowing ? Where did that come from ? Is that the Illuminator stuff you put on her ? Cuz if so, I need a case of that.

Arielle: Well, she started with a natural healthy glow of her own, but yes, that’s the Soleil Tan de Chanel Illuminating Fluid. I put it on her in the T- area (underneath the eyes on her face , along the nose and on the forehead). It really helps illuminate your skin and gives you that healthy-looking glow we all want.

Me: Um, yeah. Sign me up.

This little Chanel love potion is $48. On the Saks website, you are limited to ordering six of these a month because it’s in high demand ! Apparently, I’m not the only girl who wanted a case…

The Before & After photo…

There are lots of colorful new products in the Chanel L’Ete Papillon collection including these brilliant summer nail polishes…

You can find everything we featured here at Saks Fifth Avenue in Phoenix; just look for this display at the Chanel counter. It’s even shaped like a butterfly !

Or, better yet, schedule an appointment with the lovely Arielle and she will transform you into the fluttering papillon you were meant to be ! And you’ll get one of these DIY sheets, with all the products and how to apply them yourself for future reference.

For more information on any of the products here, or to schedule an appointment, call the Saks Fifth Avenue Chanel counter at 602-955-8000, ext. 5361.

My thanks to Kira Brown for modeling, Arielle Rondeau for her Chanel artistry and our friends at Saks who called me the second the shipment arrived so that I could show you Chanel’s gorgeous new summer beauty look.

Now fly, my little lovelies… it is a limited edition collection !

Smiles and Styles – from the Coldwater Creek shopping event in Kierland !

Karen McKnight — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:40:36 +0000

I don’t know what it is about spring shopping that brings a smile to a woman’s face, but there was no smile shortage at the Coldwater Creek store in Kierland Commons last weekend !

Maybe it’s all the bright spring colors…

Even in the midst of “serious style advice” from yours truly, smiles just broke out…

I’m clearly quite elated about wearing this black and white jacket that I love…

Not to mention, in two hours, we gave away 9 awesome spring pieces and this entire outfit !

Women dig winning free stuff !

And adding bright happy colors to their wardrobe…

And I loved meeting everyone there, answering style questions and trying on clothes right along with everyone.

This is me, trying on this cute black lace skirt I fell in love with… over my pants.

And this is me with a last bit of style advice…

Don’t ever do this. Go to the dressing room and try it on properly because you’ll get home and it won’t fit right and then you’ll have to go back to the store and get a different size, which will end up costing you more money because when you go back you’ll just see more things you want and have to buy them.

I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.

So yeah, I’ll see all my new bff’s from the Coldwater Creek store – Cristina, Marlene, Mikaela, Michelle and all the wonderfully friendly staff who helped make this event such a great success -again next week.

In the dressing room !

Express yourself in Spring’s best statement shoes !

Karen McKnight — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:36:43 +0000

From modern day gladiators to pumped-up kicks, the season’s best statement shoes can tell the world who you are in five seconds flat !

These power players from Fendi say I’ve got your glass ceiling right here…

Christian Louboutin’s new Daffodile multi-print says I’ve got sole, sister and I’m not afraid to show it…

cuz I’m Flat-out FAB.

I’m sexy and I know it.

Definitely a player.

Yes, I am the bomb-diggity.

A gladiator in heels by day…

And a Gatsby Girl at night !

Yes, I am woman, hear me roar.

Clearly, I’ve had way too much coffee today…

Shoes pictured here from Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale. Duh.

Cream of the crop: Ken Downing styles the Neiman Marcus runway in Scottsdale !

Karen McKnight — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:49:19 +0000

Imagine if Ken Downing was your stylist… it’s the stuff fashion dreams are made of. The Runway Report Spring 2013 show was presented Friday at Neiman Marcus and gets our vote as the best, most sophisticated fashion show of the year in Scottsdale.

It’s all in the details… that’s what Ken does best: from big bold accessories to feminine silhouettes, his immaculately tied-together looks never fail to bring oohs and aahs from the crowd.

Here’s a look at some of our favorites…

Orange is Ken’s spring color trend. He told the crowd “Ladies, if you don’t have an orange handbag in your collection by Fall, don’t even talk to me !” Sorta the equivalent of being put into fashion time-out.

But the orange bags were everywhere and looked tres chic, shown with imaginative color pairings, like this black, white and blue ensemble.

Also, notable and moving forward into fall were face-framing necklaces…

More is definitely more.

Aside from sunny oranges, rich reds and cool blues, timeless black and white was punched up with bold stripes.

Gladiator style shoes, in a heel or flat, are Ken’s power pick for spring; although his choices lean toward the feminine.

But for sheer femininity, this alluring look was one of our favorites.

If you saw this woman walking toward you, wouldn’t you wonder who she is ? What she does… where she’s going ?

Ah, the air of mystery…

There’s no doubt that the fashion you’ll see at a Ken Downing show is elevated, but he’s so charming and funny, you can’t help but be engaged on every level. He freely shares his fashion insider insight, jokes about bad airport fashion and even demonstrates the proper way to hold your handbag in 2013.

This year, we’re hugging.

For more on Ken’s insights, stories, who’s who and what’s what in the fashion world, stay tuned for our exclusive interview and the straight scoop on how he feels about bloggers, Alexander Wang at Balenciaga, Raf Simons at Dior and oh, yeah, who he thinks is a real Style Icon…

All photos taken at Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale. For more info, call 480-990-2100.

Serious Spring Bling !

Karen McKnight — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:18:34 +0000

From the Neiman Marcus Spring Trend show yesterday in Scottsdale, styled by Fashion Director Ken Downing. When it comes to big, bold jewelry, he’s not messin’ around…

Definitely go big or go home.

I’ll have more of my favorite looks – along with Ken’s fashion tips from the show – up soon…you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it will change your life.

We’re shopping for spring this Saturday and you’re invited ! Pinky swear you’ll want to be there…

Karen McKnight — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:17:07 +0000

Come shop all the best spring trends and rev up your spring and summer wardrobe with new pieces from the Coldwater Creek Spring collection this Saturday at Kierland Commons !

You’ll find everything you need, from bright citrus colors to watercolor florals and some of the best black & white jackets this side of the Mississippi !

Not kidding.

I died over this.

And then was brought back to life with these.

Seriously, this citrus green color is the hottest thing out there right now. It. Is. Everywhere.

So here’s the deets: I’ll be the Guest Stylist on Saturday, from 12 to 2. You’ll save $25 off your $50 purchase or more, right off the bat during the event. But it gets better. Coldwater Creek has a slew of great spring pieces they’ll be giving away during in-store drawings, every 15 minutes, including one entire outfit to someone really lucky.

Yay ! Free stuff !

If you haven’t shopped Coldwater Creek lately, it’s a whole different experience than what it’s been in the past; much more fashion forward, but still with the same great fits for women, petites and plus sizes.

I know this because I tried on everything in the entire store one day. Well, not everything, because that would take more than a day, but when I find cute floral pants that fit my not-so-small behind and not-so-thin thighs, it’s cause for celebration !

Here’s some pretty pictures to give you an idea of all the bright happy things in store…

These double lace tanks are a must-have and they come in lots of colors ! Of course, we can wear them all year long here…cuz that’s how we roll in the desert.

I do love this graphic black & white maxi dress, more than life. ( Note to Hubby: if you’re reading this, Mother’s Day is around the corner. Thank you. )

And this Aztec tee with the boyfriend cardigan is a definite no-brainer. I bought one to go with my new favorite pants that I showed you before, here.

These ankle pants come in different colors; this beautiful watercolor print, bright & sassy orange, and mine are purple perfection. They fit like a glove, they’re so soft you could sleep in them and p.s. I wore them to interview a certain Very High-Profile Fashion Director yesterday named Ken, who told me they were fab-u-lous !

So, there’s that little fashion nugget that I’ve been giddy about all day…

K – meet me there. Coldwater Creek, Kierland Commons in Scottsdale. Saturday, April 20, 12-2. Call the store to RSVP and save your spot. 480-483-4067.

I can’t wait to shop with you !

p.s. My thanks to the awesome team from Coldwater Creek, for sponsoring this post and event and letting me share all this spring deliciousness. Oh, and sorry about the tornado that hit the dressing room and I hope you found my earring ! Ha !

Today’s little bit of lovely: Jimmy Choo

Karen McKnight — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:15:22 +0000

“Bring your camera over here,” she whispered, the little floral print spring sandal from Jimmy Choo. “I’m exclusive to the Scottsdale Neiman Marcus.”

I swear she winked as she turned to the side and posed like a pro.

Flirt.