Well hello friends! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are ready to face the week with renewed vigor. I just started maternity leave, and am looking forward to baby number three among other things. It's been such a while since I blogged, and I've certainly missed sharing with you. I've been very busy with my day job, and before I knew it, a few days late turned into weeks, and now it has been almost two months. While I didn't intend to leave you this long, taking a small break from blogging allowed me to gain some clarity on the direction I want to take my blog and my new business (Yes, a new business!) which I will share more about in the upcoming months. Before too much time elapsed I wanted to share a newsworthy event I went to in October (better late than never, right?). In addition to my day job, I worked briefly as a part-time stylist for the Short Hills Anthropologie. It was part of my plan to hone my skills in retail and styling as preparation for my wardrobe consulting service (a service I will be offering as part of my new business). While there, I had the chance to help out with a fashion show held at the store. It was such a cool event for the store and it's customers. The show was put together and coordinated by the store's full-time personal stylist, Jennifer, and all the models were customers. It really gave guests an opportunity to see Anthropologie's fall line on real-life people of all age groups. Here are some pics that I thought captured the event nicely.

Here is the set-up just before the show. The overall theme and vibe of the show was equestrian as you may be able to tell from the wheat field and mountainous backdrop. It was put together by the store's very talented visual manager, Lauren, and the visual display interns.

I really enjoyed the attention to detail, a hallmark of Anthropologie's style. These wine glasses were set out for the guests.

The store was closed for the evening, and guests waited to be checked in. Those on the guest list included loyal customers, their family/friends, and employees from the corporate office.

And of course a fashion show isn't complete without a tasty layout.

This is the store manager, Jenn, welcoming guests to the show and introducing the visual manager, Lauren.

Here is the full-time personal stylist, Jennifer. Kudos to her for putting the entire fashion show together. She talked about her love of fall fashion and the deep, jeweled colors and tones found in Anthro's fall line. "We are not a black store," she pronounced. Each outfit fitly captured the rich colors and textures found throughout the store this time of year.

The show began with model Ainsley in the Lorna Silk Maxi Dress with the Canoe Drop Earrings. This is a statement dress and a belt was added to make it more age-appropriate for a younger age group.

Model Claire in the Tassled Maxi Dress, Ladder Trace Scarf, and Window Frame Perforated Belt. As you can see, many of Anthro's outfits can be altered or made more unique with a belt.

Model Marley in the Risen Sun Sweater Dress with a Draped Moraine Necklace, Crystal Fringed Drop Earrings, and September Satchel. The Risen Sun Sweater dress is cute and very popular. See how many times you can spot it among the pics.

Model Allison in the (Tema) Basketweave Sheath, Vegan Leather Bomber, Chevron Belt, and Fanned Leather Necklace.

Model Beatrice in the (Tema) Floral Sheath with Bejeweled Belt, and Triangle-Fringe Hoops.

Model Deeksha in the Pinion Fit and Flair Dress and Deco Statement Bib Necklace. This dress was one of my favorites.

Model Beth in the Painted Field Fit and Flair Dress and Silver Fringed Statement Necklace; and Model Ryanne in the Paisely Moto Jacket, Tuxedo Ruffle Tee, and Rose Gold Tassle Blaze Necklace. This is the end of the show when the models reappeared in pairs.

After the show, all guests and models had an opportunity to shop the fashion show. And almost everyone took advantage of this intimate shopping experience.

Here is a pic of me (and in all black of all outfits) and the photographer for the show, Joy Sorensen from Firefly Photography. She was super sweet and recently started her photographer business with her husband, Jared (he's taking the picture). See their story here.

Overall, I really enjoyed the show and think an in-store fashion show is a great a way to build clientele and make additional sales. So what do you think of a store hosting a fashion show?

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