watch #NYFW from the comfort of your home (or the W)

Not in NY? Don't want to wait for Style.com to post the shows? Follow these steps for instant access to #NYFW:

1. Follow Leandra Medine. AKA the Man Repeller. She'll show you what she'd wear (which is kind of everything, but in the best way). Not only is she witty and smart, she has a sharp eye and does not hold back. @manrepeller

2. Follow your favorite designers that actually post things (other than glossy magazine ad shots) on Instagram, like Creatures of the Wind @creaturesofthewind  or Maison Martin Margiela @maisonmargiela or BCBG MAXAZRIA @bcbgmaxazria or Mara Hoffman @marahoffman.  Don't waste time searching for them on Instagram--just go here, click on the designer for profiles and official social links.

3. Follow Mercedes Benz Fashion Week @mbfashionweek because, well, they have a vested interested to show you everything.

4. Follow Solange Knowles @saintrecords  Just because.

5. Watch live streaming of four shows at the the W Washington D.C. Living Room starting tonight with Diane von Furstenberg! RSVP to wfashion@brandlinkdcrsvp.com and find show listings here.

the year of the horse.

On January 31 the (Chinese new) year of the horse begins, so dig up your cowboy boots and let's get riding. I have spotted a person riding a horse on the sidewalk here in Gilbert, Arizona. My sister spotted another, but neither of us have a photo. Thanks snapchat. Here's a pony from next door, which is much cuter than the horse in the background.

My style picks to celebrate horses, ponies, and trying something new this 2014:

1. Lucky Ring by Vera Meat $48

2. Horseshoe and Stirrup Silk Scarf by Aspinal of London $139

3. Blazer-ish Jacket by DKNY $346.50

4. Creatures of the Wind Button Up

5. Leather Flap Crossbody by Emma Fox $87.99

6. Wyoming Buckin Horse Leather Cuff by LOVLeathers $25

7. 1921 Collection Boots by Gucci $1235

8. Belle de Jour Lipstick by Nars $26

9. Equestrian Riding Jodpurs by Ralph Lauren $123.25 

Now...

Get off your horse and drink your milk. John Wayne  

And the color of the year is...

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One day, a long time ago, my little sister was painting her room. She picked out the colors herself and spent all day working. I would go in periodically to check, but she wouldn't let me look. Finally, when she was finished, she pulled me in to see her masterpiece.

I scanned the walls and told her she did a great job. But then, I noticed some blue on the cherry railing. In fact, the whole cherry railing was the color of the tape blue. I said, maybe you should take off the painter's tape? And her face just melted. There was no painter's tape, she just picked paint that was the exact shade of painter's tape.

I laughed so hard that eventually she turned from embarrassed to mad and kicked me out of her room. I still feel bad about that, but she did later admit the shade was awfully close. Which is how I feel about Pantone's 'dazzling blue' (18-3949), one of the proposed colors of Spring 2014. A bit like painter's tape, don't ya think? I love it in these pieces nonetheless. You never know what gets stuck in your memory.

Kickstarter Love to four women with four amazing projects

Some of my favorite things (by my favorite people) from Kickstarter. The shiny hoodie you'll want to wear everywhere...Beastwares releases it's  INCANDESCENT ARMOR: The Cutting Edge in Hoodies. Phoenix and I met in design class at CCSF, where I would stare at her shiny leggings for hours. So glad to see she's doing a hoodie that is space age and form fitting. Yes, you will spot Beastwares at burning man (if they are are skinny and sleek it is beastwares, if they are bagging they are Betabrand's Disco pants).

If you are more of the subtle type, check out Scout's Honor, clothing for the modern tomboy. I love the plaids Clare handpicked and the innovative ways she's using darts. We met in illustration class at CCSF. She just reached her goal yesterday!

And for the man in your life. Or the yogi in you. InYo ended it's kickstarter campaign last week to rave reviews and they also released a men's version! Ladies, you have a million prints to choose from, too. Rachel and I met when I worked at Betabrand, and we've been friends ever since.

Having a baby? Nesting Days also ended its Kickstarter last week and already orders are coming in on their online store. I keep hearing 'That's the baby carrier I want'! from new moms. And they are right -- it's the baby carrier I want and I don't even have a baby. I met Julie through Rachel and full disclosure, I help her out on the internet.

And there you go. Four super amazing Kickstarter campaigns by four super amazing women in the Bay Area, all manufacturing locally and making their ideas come to life the good old fashion way. No venture capital needed, just a little love from a lot of people around the world. Magic happens when we all come together to support each other.

NYC to the Mission, guest blog post by Lirany -- local jewelry designer

Lirany of Pretty Little Thing shares where she hangs out around her new studio! I've recently relocated the studio for my jewelry line, Pretty Little Thing from New York City to San Francisco and it's been really exciting settling into a new city and a vibrant neighborhood like the Mission.

The studio is right in the heart of the Mission on 17th Street, at a space called Studio 17, which is home to other designers, artists, tech start-ups and young entrepreneurs. I love the eclectic and creative energy of the space and of the neighborhood itself. After lots of exploring, here are some of my favorite spots to eat, drink, shop and have a good time in the Mission in San Francisco!!

Food: Delfina Pizzeria for good pizza and a cold beer. I love having lunch at an outside table--perfect people watching spot. ( 3621 18th St.)

 

Drinks: The Elbo Room is perfect for Happy Hour. They have great live music on the second floor at night and the retro arcade games are a fun bonus. (647 Valencia St.)

Snacks: Bi-Rite Creamery is a go-to for their legendary ice cream and sweets. The only downside is the crazy line outside--velvet rope and all--but worth the wait! (3692 18th St.)

 

Shopping: I love vintage and one of my favorite vintage shops, Clothes Contact is in the neighborhood. You have to hunt and dig sometimes, but I've found lots of great dresses and accessories here. You can buy clothes by the pound too! (473 Valencia St.)

Dolores Park and the Dolores neighborhood is my favorite spot in all of San Francisco because it's the sunniest spot in a city that feels like its windy and chilly 80% of the year! The park is huge and beautiful, and is the perfect spot to sprawl out on a blanket and hang out with friends or alone with a good book and an iced Coffee from Dolores Park Cafe. The neighborhood that surrounds the park has a little bit of everything: shopping, food, and bars so there is always something to do after a day at the park.

Lirany made this for my birthday, it is the absolute best gift ever! I have literally been wearing it everyday. Get your own or find your own favorite on her online store.

About our guest blogger: I met Lirany Vasquez out and about in the city and we love her bi-coastal style and reading her Monday Muse posts. Lirany is the owner and designer of Pretty Little Thing Jewelry, you can see her designs on her online store and find out when she has pop-up shops by following her on twitter and instagram. She blogs about fashion, style and jewelry here!

SHOP: Pop Outerwear in San Francisco

Wait, you want to surf and brunch? Ski and have cocktails? Hike and dinner? No need for a costume change anymore -- just stop by the grand opening of Pop Outerwear and you'll find the perfect outfit to wear no matter how active and leisurely you want to be in one day.

Oh, and everything is made locally in San Francisco, the owners are amazing and the store (and website) is gorgeous. Need I say more?

RSVP here.

Pop Outerwear 1708 Waller Street, San Francisco, California 94117 (415) 680-3462