I love to add a pop of color to simple outfits with accessories like a bright scarf, fun bag or these Rachel Leigh cuffs. These cuffs were featured in Maire Claire last month and we’re giving one away! Just leave a comment and let me know why you’d like to win a Rachel Leigh cuff from chickdowntown.com and what color you’d like to win. Winner will be announced on Tuesday. Good luck!

Today I want to giveaway a pair of Current/Elliot Boyfriend jeans. Current Elliot is one of my favorite denim lines. The denim is very light and soft and has a truly vintage aged look. I wear my boyfriend jeans cuffed with heels in the summer and uncuffed with moto boots or converses and a flannel or sweater in the winter. Or when I want to dress them up, I pair them with a sequin jacket and heels. I love mixing ultra casual pieces with something very dressy. To win a pair, just leave a comment saying why you’d like to win these Current/Elliott jeans from chickdowntown.com. I will announce winner on Monday! Good luck!

Sizes Available: 28, 29, 30, 31 (jeans run one size big)

One of my favorite things about Halloween is seeing the interesting, fun costumes people come up with. This year I was Marie Antoinette and my son was supposed to be Max from Where the Wild Things Are, but when his costume arrived in the mail it was WAY too big so he had to wear his back up Superman costume. I asked our Twitter followers to send pictures of some of the craziest/funniest costumes that they saw over the weekend for our daily giveaway and we got some really funny pictures. Check them out!

Twitter Follower’s Funniest Pics:

Twitter Follower’s Children Pics:

Brody & Me:

The Plastic Island One Button Linen Dress is one of my favorite jackets! It is really versatile. On colder days, I wear it over a black turtleneck with leggings and ankle boots and on warmer days, I throw it over a t-shirt with skinny jeans and ballet flats. The one I am giving away is a size medium. Please leave a comment letting me know why you’d like to win this jacket and check back tomorrow for the new giveaway-of-the-day item! I will announce the winner on Friday. Good Luck!

Congratulations to our Winner: Brandee!
Her comment:
I would love to win this jacket for SO many reasons! It’s so stylish, is super versatile, and is just plain gorgeous! (not to mention that it would help lift me out of my depression of not winning the Dakota jacket after having almost 100 chances at it! LOL)

As promised, I will be doing a giveaway each day on my blog for at least the next few weeks. Today I am giving away this great ruffle sheath dress by Black Halo in a size 2. It’s new with tags so if you’d like it, please comment and let me know why. I’ll announce the winner on Friday. Please make sure to check back each day to check out what I’m giving away. Good Luck!!

Congratulations to our Winner: Lydia Darling!
Lydia’s comment:
I’d like to win this dress because my sister is getting married next month and I honestly have nothing to wear. My whole closet consist of jeans and tee-shirts, since I get up so early in the morning for school and volunteer at a pet shelter almost everyday I have no time to dress up. So winning this would really help me feel more attractive + it’s my size.

I was overwhelmed trying to pick a winner for the giveaway. Everyone who commented deserves the gift bag. Some of the comments were funny, some were very personal and touching, and some were very selfless. It made me want to do a tremendous amount of giveaways so I had an idea. I’ve amassed a tremendous amount of clothes over the past three years, some of which have never been worn and still have the tags attached and others that may have been worn once and have remained in the dry cleaning bag ever since. There are many more pieces sitting on a rolling rack in my office with one minor flaw that makes them unsellable but they still need homes . Anyways, I’m going to give ALL of these items away on my blog! Some days I may even list 5 items to giveaway and I’ll let you pick which one you’d like. Everyday I will post a pic of the latest giveaway item. Sizes will vary as I have been every size from a 2 to a 14 in the last few years (with having a baby) so their should be something for everyone. Please check back Monday for the first of many, many giveaways so you all can win. Congrats Dena! You are the winner of this weeks giveaway!

Deana’s comment:

Amy,

I’d love to win this goodie bag to use as a Secret Santa gift for a lovely young woman that I recently met at the local battered woman’s shelter. She’s trying so hard to get on her feet for herself and her little boy but her confidence in herself is so low. I’d love to be able to make her feel special!

Thank you for the opportunity! <3!

One of the many perks of this business are the samples! I have put together a great goodie bag for one of you! It includes a black faux croc handbag and a great grey knit scarf, so no matter what size you wear, these items will work for you and go really nicely together. Please just comment why you’d like to win and I’ll announce the winner on my blog on Friday. Good Luck!

Saturday after our weekend ritual of brunch with my son, my husband and I noticed signs that said “Pumpkin Patch”. Brody still hadn’t gotten a pumkin so we thought we’d take him. I began to think I wish I would have put on at least a spec of makeup or had us dressed it our best “pumpkin patch” outfits, which would have consisted of faded jeans and cream chunky knit sweaters. Oh well.

When we arrived we realized it was a small pumpkin patch set up by a church, but we stopped and Brody got out of the car and ran right up to a table where they were selling muffins and cookies. He grabbed a pumpkin muffin and took off into the field of pumpkins where he was fascinated by the couple of grey ones! He must take after his mom as I have an obsession with the color grey. I steered him towards the orange pumkins where he finally picked out two big round one. We then went into the church where they had face painting and a playroom for the kids. I had Brody’s face painted as a tiger and then my own to amuse him and myself. He laughed at me and we had our pics taken. He played in the toy room and then we left and went to the grocery store. When we got there I got one of those big children’s carts in the shape of a race car. This combined with my tiger face was quite amusing expecially when Brody decided he wanted to play in the children’s area while I shopped with my face painted like a tiger, pushing a race car cart with no child as an excuse in sight.

I recently bought the fashion coffee table book The Sartorialist to add to my collection of fashion tomes. Scott Schuman, a fashion photographer was inspired to create the book after observing the “disconnect” between what he saw on the runways and what real fashionable people are wearing. The book contains hundreds of images of real people and a few fashion industry people displaying their street style. I loved reading the little bios, some funny and some inspirational, of the people featured in the book. I went through and selected my favorite looks and a few of my favorite bios.

I wanted to post this blog earlier in the week, but I asked the Twitter Giveaway Question: “What is your favorite fashion related blog?”, and many answered The Sartorialist so I thought it was appropriate to post this blog after the winner was announced.

While I was preparing to take this gentleman’s picture I asked him about his fine summer suit, expecting to hear he’d had it for ever. Instead, he told me that ten years ago he was a drug dealer. When one of his customer couldn’t pay for her drugs, she threw this suit at him in payment.

I was chatting with Susan after I took this picture and mentioned that I thought her hair was just beautiful – her best feature.

She thanked me and said that she had once lost her hair because of cancer. She now purposefully keeps it long because she feels it is such a gift to have it back and, for her, it’s a sign of life.

Wednesday I flew to DC because I had been asked (and was honored) to speak on the “Real-Time Brands” panel at TWTRCON DC09. We stayed at the Sofitel. The first night we went to the TWEETUP. It was held at Brasserie Beck, which had the best beer I have ever had (the Wittekerke). I met some really interesting people including, Chris Dufour, who started mustbeawesome.com, Tonia Ries at Modern Media (who was hosting TWTRCON) and Adam Shake CEO of the environmental site Twilight Earth.

After we left the Tweetup, my husband, Kim and I went to The Old Ebbitt Grille. I had passed it along the way while sightseeing earlier and was eager to return. I read about all of the Presidents that have drank at this bar (from McKinley to Roosevelt) and thought the ambience was really unique and full of history. The bar scene was great even though it was a Wednesday. We had dinner there and were back at the hotel by 11pm since we had to be up so early the next day.

At 7am the next day we got our wakeup call from Kim and the hotel. I am not a morning person (I typically don’t sleep well until about 2am) and feel physically sick when I have to get up early. Breakfast at the hotel was great. I ordered comfort food including hot chocolate as I was a little nervous. I dressed in “my most responsible” looking outfit, a black shift, large silver chain link statement necklace and black pumps.

After arriving at TWTRCON, I met Brian Dresher from the USA Today who I feel like I’ve become to know through Twitter. I also did a podcast with Bo and Ryan @thepodcast. This was my second interview with them, which I think went much better than the first. They are the nicest guys and soooooooo funny!! When I went up to the stage with my panel, I was terrified. This was a smart, accomplished group and I was Elle Woods without the law degree. Overall I think I did okay. I passed on one question because I couldn’t understand the question. Later Kim and my husband told me they hadn’t understood the question either. I was releived when my panel got to step down and I could listen and enjoy the rest of the day. My favorite part of the conference were the presentations from DonorsChoose.org (you can choose which classroom projects you’d like to support) and charity: water (100% of the money donated goes to providing clean water). What they said they are doing is so sincere and seems to be making a real difference in people’s lives! I got to sign a T-shirt with the other speakers, which is going to be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to DonorsChoose.org.

After a great conference, I will go home with a handful of interesting new friends and the Washington DC snow globe that I bought for my two year-old son.

Yesterday after CD manager, Kim, picked my husband and me up from the airport in DC (which is where the TWTRCON conference is taking place), my husband read me an email message from a friend in PR congratulating me about REESE WITHERSPOON mentioning chickdowntown.com in her cover story interview in the November issue of InStyle magazine!!! I had just stared at Reese on the cover of the new InStyle at the airport admiring her great highlights after my hair fiasco in Miami. I’ve always admired her work and have joked in a blog about being comparable to her character Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Refer to my blog “The Real Elle Woods“). First I thought I heard my husband wrong. I asked him to repeat himself, then I asked him to see the email attachment that contained the story and our mention. I adore Reese Witherspoon (who doesn’t?) and this was TOO good to be true! As I looked over the article I couldn’t find us; then in a little red box, there we were!! I was in total SHOCK!! She lists her favorite places to shop online and chickdowntown was listed with a few other sites, which in my opinion are the best in the world. I felt so honored to be amongst the ones listed and felt the sudden urge to go over the site with a fine tooth comb, thinking Reese was looking at it. Is that weird? Anyway, this made my day, my week and maybe even my month! Check it out below!!

Friday around 4pm, my husband walked into my office and asked if I wanted to go to Miami for the weekend. We can be pretty spontaneous, but this was really cutting it close as the flight he was suggesting left in three hours and we’d have to run home and pack. I told him I didn’t think it was a good time since I have to be in Washington DC on Thursday (for TWTRCON). Then I thought about it some more and as I looked out the window at the dark sky and rain, I told my husband to book the flight. Afterall my son’s favorite nanny/grandmother would be staying with him for the weekend, so it would be a good time to get away. We quickly snuck out of the office without saying a word to anyone, ran home, packed and headed to the airport.

At the airport I started tweeting that I was leaving for Miami last minute and I heard a familiar voice say, “Amy, what are you doing here?” I looked up and saw my manager Kim and chickette Katie!! I said “Kim, Where are YOU going!!?? She nervously says “Miami” half excited half nervous I’m going to be mad she won’t be around for the weekend. Then I told her that’s where we were headed and we happened to be on the same flight!! I was super excited and couldn’t beleive what a coincidence it was. We had all decided to go to Miami last minute at the office and all of had left around 5pm not knowing what the other was planning.

My husband and I stayed at the Fountainbleau which we’d never stayed at before. Upon arriving at 1am, it seemed alright and our room had a great view where you could see/hear the ocean. The first morning we layed out by the pool, then went to the beach where I swam in the ocean and layed out. I had about three inches of grow out, since I hadn’t been able to make it to my hairdresser in NYC, so upon hearing that the hotel had a Warren Tricomi salon, I made an appointment for hightlights. My hair was in bad shape and since I am attending TWTRCON in DC on Thursday, something had to be done. After the color was finished and my hair was blown out, I was stunned! My hair was no longer blonde; it was a dirty dishwater color with hints of what I though was grey!!! When my husband came in and saw me, his look said it all. I started pointing to pics of blondes in a magazine and said, “My hair is supposed to be blonde, like this.” As I was getting a manicure, the shock started to sink in and I had the manager called over. In tears (I NEVER cry), I showed her how my hair normlly looks (thank you iPhone) and how horrified I was about the color. She listened and listened, then disappeared for awhile. As I was checking out, she got me some tea and told me that they took the charge for my hair off of the bill. That was nice, but my hair was still ruined, so I sulked out into my brow shaping apt. The lady held out a mirror so I could tell her what I wanted and upon seeing my hair, I really started to cry. I was frantically twittering about my ordeal because I didn’t know what to do with myself. I know there are much bigger problems in the world, but at least I’ve always been able to control my hair color. I went up to the room avoiding mirrors.

Later in the evening, I put on tons of makeup and a great sequin dress for our night out. We went to Mr. Chow, where there was a two hour wait, so we headed over to the Phillipe. It was a great scene. The DJ was playing everything from Jay Z to belly dancing music. I loved it! The waiters were handing sparklers out to the girls and I was tweeting pics of the scene. I got a few responses that I looked like Leighton Meister in the pics. It had to be the hair, because I’ve never been told that…so that was promising. As much as I hate my hair, I know I can’t have it redone for awhile because I don’t want it to fall out. Later we headed to the club, Liv, at our hotel and the rest of the night became a blur.

The next day, I discovered a great little cafe called Fresh, which was a great place for breakfast. The egg wrap was amazing! Following breakfast, I headed to the beach and swam in the ocean for a long time. The wind was crazy and the waves were huge, but I swam all afternoon and took my frustration out on the ocean. I came out a new person. We had dinner at Gotham and saw the model I’ve been looking for forever. I asked her if she modeled and she said yes. I told her I’d like to use her for our next shoot. We exchanged info. I also had an idea for chickdowntown so I met with a few people here in Miami and I am excited for the prospects.

Check out pics from my trip:

When I want to really dress up a simple black dress or suit for the evening, I wear my favorite shade of red lipstick – Bobbi Brown’s Red #10. I’ve tried many shades of red, but I’ve loved this one since the moment I tried it on and have stuck with it for years. When I wear the red lip I make sure the rest of my makeup is very natural looking. A red lip and smokey eye is too much in my opinion. Lately I’ve been seeing the red lip all over. From the cover of Teen Vogue to the pages of Bazaar to Sienna Miller on “the” September issue, it is everywhere and I’m loving it!

What is your favorite shade of red?

I think I may be the last person in the fashion industry to see The September Issue, the movie that takes a behind the scenes look at Vogue, Anna Wintour and the making of their infamous September issue. Lately when watching almost any fashion related reality show, I can’t help but notice the obvious staging and overall fakeness of the “reality” of the program. The same showrooms I’ve been in over and over are now depicted on TV with a totally different staff, have massive floral arrangements, and everyone is in stilettos with full blown hair and makeup professionally done. And the majority of their time is spent gossiping and having cat fights; who has the time for that?? I thought that this film captured a real glimpse at Vogue behind the scenes and took you into the mind and even home of Vogue legend Anna Wintour.

Thakoon, a designer featured in the film compares meeting Wintour to Madonna. I would have to agree. I once saw Anna in Hermes on Madison Ave. in NYC. It was a year before starting the website and as a fashion obsessed person, when I saw her, I was speechless. I stood behind her in line trying to survey her outfit from head to toe – knee high boots (Jimmy Choo I think), sequin skirt, cashmere sweater, fur jacket, Prada bag- and contemplated asking her if she needed an assistant/slave/whatever. I was desperate to work in fashion. She turned around and looked me up and down. I instantly panicked about what I was wearing, which was a full lengh black shearling jacket over a black cashmere turtleneck, skinny dark jeans and knee high black boots. She then quickly walked off as a salesperson held up a reddish orange cashmere mens sweater. She was Christmas shopping (as was I). I kicked myself for the next several days about not saying anything to her, but never actually managed to think of what I would have said.

The movie showed a behind the scenes look at the making of the issue including a photo shoot with cover model Sienna Miller and Anna editing many photo editorials styled by Grace Coddington, which included a 1920’s inspired spread. I enjoyed seeing Grace’s work and I can really appreciate her love of fashion and styling. The heart she put into her work is a beautiful thing and she seemed to be such a genuinely nice person. The only part of the film that I did not love was when Anna says, “There is always a way to wear fur.” I would add “faux” before fur.

Check out an ad we ran in Vogue last year. It ran right next to Anna’s Letter from the Editor page and had Sarah Jessica Parker on the cover. I couldn’t have gotten luckier. I treasure that issue!

I took a break this afternoon to peruse newmoonmovie.org and I came across these pictures and I thought I had to share them with you. Enjoy ladies!

(Faux croc. Real Chanel.)

You know when you see those pages in the weekly magazines with pics of a celebrity wearing the same thing over and over? Well this week the temps dropped and I was very excited to wear my favorite faux croc Chanel jacket! Kate Moss even has the same one. I already wore mine twice this week. I’m jacket obsessed. I have more jackets than tops, so for me to wear a jacket this much I really have to love it.

The first time I wore it several years ago, I paired it with the perfect outfit. I loved it so much that I can still remember it to a tee. I was at my thinnest stage then (size 2) so the jacket is the only thing that still fits me. I wore it with a dark olive See by Chloe tee with large gold cursive “See by Chloe” lettering across the front, brown stretch skinny cords, a brown Hermes “H” golden buckle belt, and of course the jacket. I even coordinated my lipcolor (a dark plum) with the ensemble.

I was having dinner that night at Elio’s in NYC with my husband and another couple. The woman had an impeccable sense of fashion; she gave me a look up and down and I knew I had her approval. Isn’t it funny how woman mostly dress for other women?

Anyways, as I previously mentioned, I have already worn it twice in the last week. Once over a great fall babydoll dress with grey tights and then today with a scarf, skinny jeans, a cream ruffle blouse, some fun gold bangles, and a necklace. Check out my pics this week in my jacket. (I hate having my picture taken so I look a little awkward in the photos, but you get the idea.)

I’d love to hear a piece that you love so much that you wear it over and over…