New York Fashion Week: #AliveAtNYFW

New York Fashion Week is days away and while I'll be posting some packing tips a little later, I just had to get this awesome collab out there! Some of STL's raddest fashion pros and bloggers have teamed up to share our NYFW experience with you via #ALIVEatNYFW. We'll be publishing our favorite moments on Twitter and Instagram - from street style and MBFW shows to private designer presentations and fashion crises.

Head over to ALIVE Mag for more details. More photos after the jump...

Hotel Chronicles: Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch

2013 is a year of change, apparently. With a new job, new place and one giant handful of random life reworks, it seems like as good a time as any to consciously introduce even more newness to this already exciting year. That said, welcome to my first ever Hotel Chronicles post. Staycations, vacations, work trips and conferences are booked. Flights have been purchased. Rooms reserved. Faraway friends notified. I hope you'll follow along.

To kick it off, Patrick and I stayed at Hyatt Regency Saint Louis at the Arch for his 30th birthday on January 8th. We made quite a week out of it and topped off the weekend with dinner at Mike Shannon's, drinks at BB's Blues Jazz & Soups and breakfast in bed back at the hotel. Having recently had a less than pleasant experience at a famous Saint Louis hotel on New Year's Eve, Hyatt was another welcome change.

Blazer x Urban Outfitters (Get it now for $19.99!)

Top c/o MailChimp via IFBCON September 2012

Denim x Forever 21

Socks x Target

Boots x Diba

Clutch x H by Halston

Watch x Fossil

Rings x Miss Ohio Vintage

Saint Louis Fashion Week: Already Excited

With NYFW not even two weeks away, it may feel a little off that I'm already hyped for Saint Louis Fashion Week happening in late March. I've got my reasons. STLFW is back for Spring for the first time in a hot minute and after a look back at Liquid Style, I'm craving some good old fashion STL style.

Devil City rocking STLFW. Are you surprised? Didn't think so. 

Best of 2012: Instagram Style

2013 has already produced a few really life changing events. Looking back at my favorite low key moments of 2012 has grounded me and brought peace. I'm excited to see what big and little things this next year holds.

I went blonde via St. Louis hair extraordinaire Kristen Linares.

My Style: Recent St. Louis Shopping (More Leather, More Cat Eyes)

Earrings x Fable & Lore

Sunglasses x Clr-Mnstr

Sweater x Gap

Necklaces x Clr-Mnstr & Miss Ohio Vintage

Skirt x Clr-Mnstr

Watch x Fossil

Clutch x Miss Ohio Vintage

Tights x Bakers

Booties x H by Halston via Bakers

St. Louis Fashion: Leopard Boutique, Webster Groves

I've got some holiday cash burning a hole in my pocket and my first shopping stop is Leopard Boutique. St. Louis fashion has been blessed with a trendy, affordable boutique by way of Rachel Sauter. The Webster Groves shop specializes in timeless wardrobe staples and the statement making pieces that will pull your whole look together.

Support Independent STL: Local is the New Black

Friday night, I’ll be celebrating the art of shopping at Gentleman’s Emporium over some welcome beer, bourbon and bacon. Handmade, locally sourced and ethically imported goods will be for sale via nearly 20 independent St. Louis businesses. Goods for the whole family will be up for grabs, ranging from vintage fashion and handcrafted jewelry to records, wallets and prints. Music will be playing. Booze and food will be served generously. It’s really the perfect atmosphere for any holiday shopper guilty of a little procrastination and in need of a stiff one.

Yet, it’s not just a night out with friends over complimentary cocktails. When you buy a gift from an independent vendor you are literally putting gifts under his own tree. You are paying her electric bill, or feeding her beloved pet. You are paying for a trip for him to see his mom. An engagement ring. A dinner with friends. When you buy from a small business, you are creating jobs. You are keeping their equally indie, U.S.A. made suppliers’ doors open.

STL Venue: Get Weird at Plush St. Louis

STL has no shortage of great places to hang, but Plush has been topping my happy hour / brunch / Sunday funday lists lately. If you like yummy food with Southern flair and can handle an above average calorie intake, I strongly encourage you to order a side of biscuits and gravy with your country fried chicken wings. In contrast, my kir royale was super yum. Fortunately, multiple floors of oddities allow you to get weird and take fun photos.

Mega-babe Brittany Browers of Lace&Dagger sipping some bourbon.

My Style: Girls Day at Plush STL Featuring Clr-Mnstr

In the spirit of my Local Holiday Giveaways, I decked out in Clr-Mnstr to show you just how versatile this trendy downtown boutique really is (Actually, it was completely on accident - I just love all these pieces). From the Jeffrey Campbell/Nasty Gal obsessed to the Zara type and everything in between (yes, even the J.Crew loving Mint Julep can't visit without making a purchase), I promise you won't walk out of Clr-Mnstr empty handed.

The Fox & Gypsy and Lace & Dagger ladies joined me at Plush St. Louis for an afternoon of outfit photos and super spicy bloody marys. (And later, an evening of local craft beer and Jenga at Urban Chestnut Brewing Company.) Here's a few shots of my Clr-Mnstr heavy ensemble, all taken by Brittany Bowers of Lace & Dagger.

 Jacket x Clr-Mnstr

Tunic/Dress x Clr-Mnstr

Origami Necklace x Clr-Mnstr

Black & Gold Necklace x Forever 21

Bracelet x Fossil

Belt x Unknown

Denim x Ann Taylor Loft

Gold Cap Toe Pumps x H by Halston via Bakers Shoes

Clutch x Retro 101/Cherry Bomb Vintage

STL Fashion: Blue Bird Apparel Flash Giveaway #1

Want to win $25 to BlueBirdApparel.com? Tweet @MissOhioVintage & @BlueBirdApparel using the tag #ILUVBLUEBIRD to be entered to win a $25 gift card! Must follow both to be eligible to win. Entries being accepted until 11:59pm CST 12/10/2012.

Don't forget to like Heartland Underdog and Blue Bird Apparel on Facebook for exclusive offers, giveaways, new product and more.

xx! - Linds

STL Fashion: Devil City Giveaway Winner

At 11:00am this morning, I used Shortstackapp.com's random number generator to select the winner of the $75 Devil City gift card! With Patrick Shaw as my witness, we randomly drew one name....

Congratulations to Heather Nelson! You have won a $75 gift card to Devil City in The Delmar Loop and will be receiving an email shortly.

For those of you who entered, but didn't win... follow me on Twitter today for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Blue Bird Apparel sometime this weekend! Follow @BlueBirdApparel and @MissOhioVintage to be eligible to win and watch for the entry tweet. 

Best of luck! Up next.... A $50 Clr-Mnstr gift card! Stay tuned and Happy Holidays! Local is the new black.

xx - Linds

Best STL Food: Lemongrass Vietnamese Sesame Tofu

Oh hey! I like food. But I reallllly like sesame tofu. That said, it's about time I share one of STL's best kept secrets: a gem of a dish from CBGB's Vietnamese neighbor.

When I was 21, I was a Shift Manager and Events Assistant at Flamingo Bowl. I worked 11am-8pm six days per week, and almost every Friday I made my way to Lemongrass to reward myself with some heaven-on-earth sesame tofu. Having discovered the dish after taking on a vegan diet, I ignored all signs pointing to fish sauce and dug in week after week.

Recently, I made my way back to Lemongrass on South Grand after a few years away. The sesame tofu is still amazing. (OR Juice & Smoothie Cafe still tops my list for spring rolls. Swoon.)

Sesame tofu with broccoli and white rice. Amazeballs.

St. Louis Event: Gentleman's Emporium (A Handmade Happy Hour Production)

Excited is an understatement. St. Louis' most unique shopping event is just around the corner. Make it downtown to The Gentleman's Emporium for a night of live music, bourbon, beer and bacon. Locally sourced, handmade goods, Made in the U.S.A. products and ethically imported gift items will be available from up to 20 STL vendors. While the product will focus on mens and gender neutral items, select womens vendors will also be on hand to  make gift shopping both easy and fun for the men in our lives. Complimentary gift wrapping will also be available to guests.

Save the date 12.21.12 and RSVP to St. Louis' most unique shopping event here.

Like Gentleman's Emporium on Facebook to vote on which bacon snacks you can find at the event, stay up to date on vendors and entertainment and more.

St. Louis Shopping: Devil City (Holiday Giveaway #1!)

If you're shopping local this holiday season, start with Devil City for top quality, Made in the U.S.A. apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Vintage inspired dresses, skirts and statement pieces line the walls, with retro jewelry and kitschy collectibles peppered throughout the thoughtfully designed shop. A rockabilly vibe complements a high end aesthetic. Devil City is a mecca for fashionable ladies and gents who stray from the mundane.

My Most Recent Purchase: Ornamental Things Horseshoe Necklace from Devil City on Yours Truly.

To celebrate the holiday shopping season, I've teamed up with Devil City to give away a $75 gift card to the chic St. Louis shop.