’twas three nights before fashion week…

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even… Okay, I am not creative enough to come up with anything witty here…

I am currently preparing to board a plane bright and early on Tuesday bound for NYFW. Packing for fashion = disaster. While I know that I will be sporting head-to-toe black most of the week (along with everyone else) I still find myself in the midst of a panic attack when I think about planning outfits. Thankfully there are a few things I know I will be packing and putting to good use!

Inspired by a recent Fashionista post, I have compiled a list of my fashion week essentials. See you at the Tent!

1. Vintage mink coat.

2. Black leather miniskirt.

3. Tory Burch ankle boots.

4. Moleskine squared notebooks, with Sharpie pens.

5. Olympus camera.

6. Sephora’s Rouge Cream lipstick in “Mmm.”

7. Black cashmere scarf.

8. WWD & Daily Front Row.

9. Tights, tights and more tights.

10.Cappuccinos from Café Lalo.

gaga for gaga.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Lady Gaga in Armani Privé. There are no words.

tweet of the week

I thought this was HILARIOUS. Only in New York would they notice Chanel Jade. Lately, I have been wishing my nails were perma-jade. I also have been wishing that I bought five bottles originally and sold the rest on eBay. DAMN.

Look for yourselves and see what you think: Was this “undercover homeless” gal wearing Chanel Jade? http://bit.ly/bdZO1u

- NYThread

twitter.com/nythread

preview: voltage 2010

On Tuesday, members of the press and local buyers were treated to a preview of the 10 collections that will debut at the Voltage: Fashion Amplified show during MNfashion Week in April. The event took place at the Vision Management Group loft downtown and was packed with all the major players in Twin Cities fashion. The preview has me really looking forward to seeing the each designer’s collections in their entirety come April. From our sneak peak, there were some definite favorites: Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr, Danielle Everine and Emma Berg.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Stanner, Vision Management Group

Osorio’s collection of menswear featured clean lines, fantastic drapery and a great military-inspired jacket paired with short trouser shorts.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Stanner, Vision Management Group

I adored Zerr’s collection, featuring desirable colors and simple lines. Zerr told me she is really a minimalist at heart and hopes that shows in her collection. She is also working with natural fibers- nothing like green fashion!

Photo courtesy of Daniel Stanner, Vision Management Group

Everine’s collection was feminine, flirty and very reminiscent of the S/S2010 Miu Miu collection.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Stanner, Vision Management Group

Emma Berg, darling of local arts and fashion, sent a stunning pair of organza pants with a structural crop-top down the runway. Let’s hope that is a sign of what is to come for the rest of her collection!

Check out mnfashionweek.com for more information about the upcoming MNfashion Week. Also visit voltagefashionamplified.com for information on the designers and the big show!

Follow VoltageFashion and MNFashion on Twitter. Check out Vision on Facebook.

thank you, mr. galliano, thank you.

Haute couture is my anti-drug. There are few things in life I love more than drooling over the Paris couture shows. When it comes to Christian Dior, there is always a puddle around my keyboard. [Sorry, that is totally disgusting.] John Galliano has done it again with this collection. An equestrian edge, Victorian flair and every ounce of romanticism came together in this collection. Galliano has created some of the most beautiful gowns I have seen in a long time.

Feast your eyes. [It's okay to drool...]

tweet of the week.

Welcome, @CathyHorynNYT to Twitter. Start following her NOW. She has a sharp eye for all things fashion. See what she has to say from Paris in 140 characters or less.

pre-fall: jason wu

Another of my favorite pre-fall collections was by Jason Wu. It is an understatement to say he has really evolved in the last year. His spring collection was fantastic [hello, highly praised feather skirt making an appearance in every spring fashion spread] and his popularity has skyrocketed thanks to Mrs.O. I adore his pre-fall collection, and I hope it is a peak of what is to come in A/W 2010.

Check out the entire collection here.

prada dresses never broke my heart before.

Today, one of my favorite local consignment/vintage stores, My Sister’s Closet on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, had the first day of their annual winter clearance sale. The store is owned by two sisters and is home to everything from Banana Republic to Moschino (along with the most incredible selection of vintage hats, scarves, bags and jewelry). We recently pulled a Salvatore Ferragamo sweater and skirt set for a photo shoot…today that set would have cost you a whopping $24 at the sale. The entire store is 50% off, and that really means everything. I managed my way through all the racks and found some unbelievable deals. Dior for $10, Missoni for $70, Marni for $25…the list goes on. The sale will continue through January 30, but I recommend going as soon as possible to get the best deals on some great garments. What did I walk away with?

- Vintage mink fur coat, $24

- Vintage dress, $8

- Marni taffeta zipper skirt, $24

Grand Total: $56

My camera is being horrible currently, so I will post some photos in the future! Amazing deals, so get there today! And for those of you who are gearing up for the winter sale at gh2, this is the perfect warm-up.

My Sister’s Closet, 1136 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota

My Sister’s Closet will be opening a second location at 2741 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 1, 2010. The ladies tell me that the store will feature a brand new selection of spring/summer vintage and consigned garments!

jean paul gaultier for target.

Thank you to the look book gods for finally giving us the Posen AND Gaultier images in the same week. Remember how long it took to see a full Rodarte look book? And then there was all that drama with cell phone photos snapped at the editor preview. Deep breath. I have been really excited about this Gaultier collection [secretly because I was hoping for a cone bra] and these photos do not disappoint [despite lack of cone bra.]

Photos courtesy of  Refinery29.com.

tweet of the week.

There are countless ‘tweets’ each week that have me laughing out loud and completely amused. I have decided to pick a favorite each week to share. Enjoy! [And follow me on Twitter!]

Chris Brown, of Rihanna infamy, is sitting front row at Costume National! What is the house thinking? JM #mfw http://tweetphoto.com/8840638

- themoment

twitter.com/themoment