image via http://mcgill.ca

Dear Loves,

My first year of blogging has been amazing, exceeding all expectations I had originally set out for myself when I started Style with Benefits in March 2009.  It has truly been one incredible ride thanks to everyone who visits here, and I hope you will continue with me on the next leg of the journey.

Wishing to create a more customized layout and improved reader experience, Style with Benefits will be moving to a new home, but luckily all my old posts have migrated over to the new blog.  Beginning tomorrow, please update your blogroll, RSS Readers and bookmarks to (do not include ‘www’ after the ‘http’):

http://stylewithbenefits.com

http://stylewithbenefits.com

http://stylewithbenefits.com

http://stylewithbenefits.com

I realize I’ve been a delinquent visitor to your blogs lately, and I hope to get back on the right track once the new blog is up and running.  Thanks so much for your continued support; it means the world to me.

This is not a good-bye, but a see you soon…

xoxo, becs

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** Please do not leave comments on this blog anymore as they will not migrate over to the new blog.  Thanks! **

Thanks so much, Dana!

Dana (wearing a French Connection dress) strikes a pose on the runway before the start of the 3.1 Phillip Lim show.

So, here we are once again — Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the last one in Bryant Park.  There was an unspoken sense of sadness underneath the white vinyl this past week.  The designers aren’t outwardly supporting or bashing the idea of the move, mostly they’re just expressing their memories from Bryant Park, as shown through quotes on the entrance on the Avenue of the Americas.  “Bryant Park became the beacon of what New York fashion stands for – an industry that’s fearless, tireless and always moving forward,” said Ms. Wintour.   I think the designers are remaining cautiously optimistic about the move to Lincoln Center in the fall.  There were plenty of nay-sayers at first about such an event taking over Bryant Park for a week when it began there in 1993.  And now, just as people are beginning to welcome it back twice a year with open arms, a new part of town will have to accept its presence and the craziness it brings.  We’ll just have to wait until September to see the full effect of the new location will be.

This was my first Fall/Winter fashion week where I was able to actually see a show and take note of what the tent revelers were wearing.  Now, for those of you in sunny beautiful weather, take note — it is far from that here in NYC.  In fact, I didn’t think the tents were going to hold up last week when the north east was blasted with several feet of snow.  Impressively, they did.   I even more so thought that there was no way anyone was going to try to go all out and wear ultra outrageous outfits just to try to attract attention from the crowds milling about outside the tents’ entrance.  I was wrong.  Now, I fully support expressing your style and what better location than NY Fashion Week?  But, when there is a foot of snow of the ground, some sort of common sense has to come into play.  Right?  Some ladies got the look half right — they did Aspen chic on the top — full fur hat, luxe fur coat — but the look didn’t hold up from the waist down — paper thin leggings and sky-high open-toed shoes.

Photos by Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Due to the schedule and when I was there, I was only able to go to one show — 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Wool blends, shearling coats and animal prints in tans and neutrals rocked the runway.  Overall, I quite liked the collection.  I could definitely see most of the separates being worn off the runway, and not looking like it came from the runway (in a good way).  I was completely taken off guard when the finale dress came out — bright peachy/pinky with neutral sleeved adorned with huge gemstones.  I was in love.  It was so different from the rest of the collection and really unexpected.  Mr. Lim, if you’re reading this post, and clearly I know you are, I would love to borrow that dress for my next red carpet event.

Photos by Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Overall, it was a great couple of days at NYFW.  I was definitely sad when I walked out of the tents knowing that it might be the last time that I will step foot in there, but I was happy knowing that I was lucky enough to experience it, if only a couple of times.  Thank you again for letting me share my experience with you!  Hopefully I’ll get to go to Lincoln Center in the fall!

Until then….xoxo,

Dana

H&M top. Vintage faux fur vest & necklace via Rose Bowl Flea Market. Arden B. jeans. Vintage Justin Roper boots. Stacey Lapidus headband. Marc Jacobs sunglasses

This past weekend was absolutely gorgeous, with temperatures in the mid-70′s.  I suppose the beautiful weather almost makes up for not being at NYFW.  At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

Scored the faux fur vest and necklace for $5 each at the Rose Bowl Flea Market this weekend.  I love me some sweet deals.

xo, Becs

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Bebe dress. Vintage bracelet

Sometimes I just want to tease my hair and wear mesh cut-outs all day.

xoxo

“I see myself as a huge fiery comet, a shooting star. Everyone stops, points up and gasps ‘Oh look at that!’ Then — whoosh, and I’m gone… and they’ll never see anything like it ever again, and they won’t be able to forget me — ever.” – J. Morrison

R.I.P. Alexander McQueen

H&M pants & men’s button down shirt. Silence & Noise bustier and belt via Urban Outfitters. Vintage Justin Roper boots

Yes, these H&M floral harem pants are ridiculous.  But I can be pretty ridiculous at times.

They are the exception to my anti-harem pants rule.  I’m not going to lie, these pants just make me happy.  The bright floral print, soft material and loud 90′s vibe had me at hello.

Just like anchovies aren’t for everyone, the same goes for these pants.

xoxo, Becs

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Conclusion: Men like jeggings.  Or anything that’s tight.  Shocker.

Personally, I haven’t lost my jeggings virginity yet and I’m not sure if I ever will.  I do wear leggings, but also only wear super skinny jeans.  The probability of jeggings ever making their way into my closet are slim to none.  No pun intended.

Are jeggings one of your wardrobe staples?