Ohhhhh too be Rich...

Okay first of all... this computer is a piece of crap.. literally. I mean, you have NOOOO idea how long it takes to save ONE measly little pic on this thing! I have a Asus PC.. what ever the hell that is, and it is slower than molasses. It freezes on me, signs off when it pleases, the side bar just disappears for no reason... the list goes on. BUT... guess who has the new Mac Book? Yep, it isn't me that's for sure its my 19 year daughter! Mind you, she did buy it with her money from a paid internship job she had this summer, but somehow something is wrong with this picture... don't cha think? When she said why don't you get one your self? I replied because the money your Dad and I make goes into a big "pot" that pays for you and your brother's college. the house, all the bills etc. Unlike you and your brother, the money you all make goes in your only little pot... Lucky you! So here I am just trying to do a little blog that should take ten minutes,  that actually is taking me an hour! This is soooooo B.S.

Okay now that I got that out.... My blog for today!
I just recently received my much anticipated Vanity Fair Magazine in the mail this week and there was an insert for Ralph Lauren. Well, my jaw dropped, and I began salivating over the most gorgeous pieces I have ever seen! Okay, most of you fashionista's probably already knew or were fully a tuned to the fact that Ralph Lauren is so much more than beautiful  signature Equestrian Glamour ready-to-wear motifs, but I was in awe of his Fall Couture pieces.
He is the epitome of style and grace in his  stunning vintage looks with artisanal craftsmanship.  The folds and folds of weightless luxury fabrics that are intricately constructed into beautiful regal gowns and flowing skirts, then pairs them with sporty caps and wool cable knit sweaters, leather  chunky belts which draws your attention to his uncanny deliverance to create refined timeless romanticism in his collection. Oh, would like I to fill my closet with these pieces...but I'd have to be rich, I'd have to be about 6 feet tall and yeah...that would be nice!
Here are some of my favorites from his Collection:

Thanks Ralph Lauren for continually designing timeless pieces that make any woman feel beautiful!

                                                                 xoxo Mari

My Purpose...

The purpose of this blog site, is two-fold. One, is the obvi, to share with others who have a strong passion for fashion and to direct it to those in my age group... the 40+ gals!
Secondly, to inspire and share real life experiences and goals, so that there is a place where others can relate.

Life is like an "Evolving Closet," think about it...just like our wardrobe, our life changes all the time. As we get older, so do our tastes for certain things, clothes, food, home decorations etc. And as the kids move out, the closets empty with them and we are left to "fill" them up so to speak with some other purpose or "shoe fetish" that we may have long desired to have.
The point is, you are not alone...we are always evolving, and changing as life changes whether we are ready or not...it is life, so you might as well enjoy the ride and look at this as a new chapter in your already amazing life!

Like I said, I have a grown son in college (he is on the five yr. plan and we are on the four...but that is another story, haha), and it was so hard to see him go, yet I knew this was his time in life to explore and find himself. I still had a daughter at home and that was gratifying, and still is, yet I know she will soon leave and spread her wings and rightly so. Soooooo, knowing all this was going to happen, I went back into the work force and like I also stated in earlier, got a job as a Fashion Instructor for High School students, thinking..."This is great!, I have something that is rewarding, and I love it and wow! I can do this for a long time whoohoo!" Until the program was dissolved and I was left to re-think my direction. Yes, I work now....but it is not what I want to do "when I grow up", it is a yield in the road so to speak (but is has been almost two years in this yield, which feels more like a long pause) and I am once again looking to find my calling!
I know its okay to be at a standstill for a bit, but this is ridiculous! I have such an enormous energy to give back some how and yet...nada.... so here I am....blogging and sharing what I feel, what I love and what I know...
So for now, I will fill my son's almost empty closet with my shoe fetish, and fashion gratifications and continue to love just being who I am for the moment and know that I will continue to evolve just like my closet.

xoxo Mari

Last Call....

Okay so yesterday's designer's in my book kinda missed the mark. Sorry folks I'm just being real...at least for us 40+. I'll show you some of my favs for the day and see what you think!
First up...

Rachel Zoe

She was my favorite! Love her collections! Like I could see myself pretty much wearing any number of her pieces from day to night such a  "go-to" line! She gave us effortless chic...I love it! So here are my loves~

 
 



Okay next up...

Michael Kors

A designer after every woman's heart..."To believe you can be sexy and sporty at the same time."
That's what I'm talkin about! Loved the palazzo pants with unexpected bar top pairings, but we did see a lot of this on the catwalk this week! Wow! Does that mean its okay for the 40+ to wear these kinds of ensembles too? I don't know... go for it girl! If you've got it and you can pull it off in a classy way then "work it" girl!
Anyway back to MK, his line spoke of feminine, soft tones with just a hint of  edginess! Love it!

 

 

 

Last, but certainly not the least of my favs....cuz I adore Marc, so you could say I saved the BEST for last, hahaha!

 

Marc by Marc Jacobs

 

 

What comes to mind is preppy menswear inspired with matching sneakers as a finishing touch. Then he mixes it up with  slouchy suit ensembles that made it a bit more "grown-up", if you changed the sneakers for some slinky Jimmy Choo  you've just turned from geek to chic! Viola dauling!

 





               xoxo  Mari

And the Inspiration continues....

So today marks another day of fashion splendor!!! Ohhhhhhh the anticipation of each designer's creation interpretation of their vision coming to life in front of all to view and desire!
I did not get to Monday's personal fav so today I will add it now!

Yesterday's was Carolina Herrera, love her and her motto: "New York is where fashion begins and ends"...So true girl!  She is a contemporary worldwide designer outfitting women for every season. Full of luxury, classics and modernity. Carolina has optimized what refined diversity means, and it shows thru her collection! Bravo!

Carolina Herrera

 Next....

Alice & Olivia

Totally known for girly dresses prom fur-fru's, but the ventured out in a more preppy undertone, which I kinda liked! Hope you do too!

Badgley Mischka

So elegant and yet so effortless in  feel. I fell in love with the pieces and wanted to buy them all! So not over the top femmie, yet femmie enough. Classic understated, with such a "double look" statement! Such Dior, Audrey Hepburn revival, so high glamour with the over the top! Badley Mischka recreated in their own interpretation our love for romance and grace! Bravo!

xoxo   Mari

My favs for today!!!...

Diane Von Furstenberg

Okay did you all see Naomi??? Wow! She is aaaaammmzzzing! Gorgeous! Yay to you Diane for having the best of the best of the best to help show case your Spring Collection!
As most if not all of Fashion followers know Diane started out in 1972 and then ended up being known for her infamous wrap dress that we still see re-invented today!
I have her luggage incase any one cares!!!!
I just love her, the fact that she continues to design and be the fore front of so many "hits" is whoo hoo!
Okay is it just me... how many outfits did Naomi wear?? hahaha.. Anyway, loved the "out-of-the-box" looks, every designer seems to love the cropped look! What the heck??? Like how many 40 something's will wear that? Not me!
But.... to her tribute she showed a lot of edgy pieces that many could pull off! Love the creativity and ingenuity that was presented!
Here are some of my DVF favs!:

 

 

 

Lela Rose

 

 

 

So she designed such beautiful pieces..very vintage, very retro yet modern! What a difference from her Wedding gown line....floaty fabrics and textures, flattering for most silhouettes. Attention to lace details, not over the top "frufru" but very feminine and sophisticated at the same time. Really was surprised and happy at her collection! Her first for ready to wear and she sailed thru like that fashionista she is! Bravo!!!! Her are some of my favs....



A Virgin Blogger at its finest....

Okay so I feel like such a "virgin" at this blogging thing and don't feel like I have found my niche as far as deliverance... I will get it I promise, hahaha! Like I want to speak natural to you and just let my words flow and they aren't so bare with me folks!!!
On another note... I was thinking last night as I lay awake as usual around 3:15 am about fashion and what comes to mind. Being that we are in Fashion Week NY I thought, "Wow, you know every day when you get up and decide what to wear for that day, and you leave for what ever your life takes you, you essentially are doing your own "catwalk"?" Everyday... you make a decision based on what you are doing, how you are feeling, what statement you want to convey to the world and then you do your "Catwalk" for the day with what you chose to wear. Its weird when you think about it! We get so excited to see what each designer has created, how they present their collections, the vibe, the audiences response etc.... And yet we do it EVERY day!
Women on the whole dress for women...I have to say I used to be that way... it was kinda like a competition like scenario, like I look better than you type thing. (I don't know why that is, but I think it is just in our nature to do so...maybe it was to be more attractive for the male species at one time and then it evolved into competition). Anyway, I really do honestly dress for my self. At my age, I don't give a "shit" what you are wearing in comparison to what I am...no offense, really!
I wear what I want to because I genuinely have a love for fashion. I do wish I had bucks so I could wear the Chanel, Moschino, Dior, Versace etc., but I do with what I can to be true to my fashion sense.
Like my blog name says... this is 'The Evolving Closet'...we are always evolving into a better "you"...and so are our closets!


xoxo Mari

Fashion Week at its finest...

I am soooooo excited it is fashion week in NY! I have been wanting to blog since the first day! I had other extenuating circumstances that kept me from what I love...FASHION! Sooooo, I am going to jump into yesterday's catwalk updates today!

Since I am blogging for the 40+ women, I will talk about what would be great for "our" generation to wear, and talk about my favorite designers of course!

 

First up...

 

KATE SPADE

 

 A love of most, always with bright bold colors, and splashes of black, holding true to a whimsical yet tailored direction to the collection. She showed her signature 60's influence with a cotton candyish  demeanor for my taste. She did have some pieces that I feel would be fab staples in any closet.

RAG & BONE

This collection stayed true to the designer's trademark of tomboyish silhouettes' embellished with urban references, yet showed some direction towards femininity and reserve within some of their pieces. Very Nineties feel. I left out pics of the cropped tops cuz I know that is not age appropriate!

 

 

MISHA NONOO

 

 Okay so she was AMAZING! First show and it was a show stopper in my eyes! Loved it! Very light and airy, yet playful with added crisp tailoring. She mixed fabrics, colors and some pieces looked liked they had been a painted with watercolors. These pieces can be worn anytime, anywhere and you will be "Wow" factor!

L.A.M.B.


Gwen Stefani's relaxed silhouettes rang thru her contemporary label. She has wearable pieces for every age. Loved the burst of color too!

 

Okay so last but not least.... I know Desigual actually showed the line a few days ago but I just LOVED it and had to show my favs! Seriously these are my kinda outfits and I truly feel any one can wear these! Manel Joderque behind the creation of the collection brought to the catwalk femine and colorful pieces. You can  mix and match with other pieces in your closet or wear as shown! Desigual had their first show in NY this week! Whoo hoo to them!!! It is a Spanish brand with signature bright colors and vivid prints. Great shift dresses, skirts, pants you name it! Manel used his go to colors of black and white which I personally love cuz you can wear it anywhere! But the use of Mediterranean inspired colors were also a hit! Desigual just  opened a Flagship store on 5th Ave. so make sure to stop by if you are in area!

So here are some of my favorite pieces!

 



These are just a few of my most loved so far.... stay tune to more of my fashion week updates!

 

                                                                                                                          xoxo  Mari