Fall is finally here and I couldn’t be happier! Even though this weekend promises 85 degree temps, I’ve been able to break out the tights and cardigans for three days now and more are soon to come. The bad news is, as I was out running errands last night the Oh-So-Arizona trend was running rampant everywhere: Yes friends, I’m talking about Uggs.

I get it, they’re comfortable, they’re practical and clearly never going to go away. But I thought this the perfect opportunity to show a so much sexier and so much more now type of footwear, the thigh-high boot.

Yves Saint Laurent ‘Imperiale’ Thigh High Boot

$1,855.00 by Yves Saint Laurent at Nordstrom

How could you even grab the Uggs with such a sexy alternative like these lying around? Too aggressive? Try:

Roberto Cavalli Leather thigh-high boots

$2,500.00 by Roberto Cavalli at Net-A-Porter

These Roberto Cavalli’s. Still fabulous but the lack of a stilletto heel definitely makes it less pretty woman. I will admit, you should be fairly tall to pull these off. As much as I adore them I’m not sure if even I’m too short for the look. So you can also try a flat version like these:

LD Tuttle The Shaper

$816.00 by Ld Tuttle at La Garçonne

Tuck them into your favorite pair of skinny jeans. Or:

Jimmy Choo black suede ‘Hilde’ thigh high boots

$956.00 by Jimmy Choo at Bluefly

They’re flat, they’re comfortable, practical for winter….could they be an Ugg alternative?? All odds say, yes please!

With the flurry of all that’s new at Scottsdale Fashion Square, it’s enough to make our heads spin! This Friday, October 30th, comes another newbie to SFS’s remodeled wing, and it’s a 7 for all Mankind store. Just the second in the state (the first location recently opened at Kierland Commons) this 7 store will offer plenty of luxury goodies for men and women including tops, dresses, accessories and, of course, jeans galore. The 3,000 -sq. -ft. boutique also carries sunglasses, a kid’s collection and footwear too.

My love affair with Forever 21 is no mystery to anyone that knows me; after all, where else can you get such cheap, affordable fashions knocked straight off the runways? Well, with all the buzz surrounding the new 100,000 -sq. -ft. expansion at Scottsdale Fashion Square (which is a total sight to see), I was happier than ever to finally get an F21 right in my very own zip code.

And….the store totally sizzles. Their contemporary Twelve by Twelve line takes up an entire section of the store and is chock-full of lust-worthy skirts, blouses and dresses that honestly don’t resemble some of F21′s cheaper counterparts.

While you’re there, be sure to pop in to Banana Republic’s new concept store; I was totally hesitant to all the hype because I honestly am not much of a Banana shopper but…I was wrong. Not only is the store design very enticing, the fashion jewelry in particular had me in a trance.

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$500 jeans for $99? Um, yes please! That’s exactly what you’ll get at the Hub Holiday pop-up shop now open through the end of December. And yes, I did mean “pop-up shop;” The temporary storefronts are all the rage in major cities and Hub is embracing the trend with their own seasonal pop-up shop inside Scottsdale Fashion Square on the lower level.

What’s not to miss at Hub Holiday is their line of PRPS jeans which normally run from $300 to $500 a pair, being sold at a jaw-dropping $99. These denim darlings are made with African cotton and are hand-woven using vintage Japanese Levi’s shuttle looms.

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for Barney’s New York (finally!) opening up its doors at Scottsdale Fashion Square this week, not to mention all the other retailers and restaurants too. The 100,000 -sq. -ft. expansion kicks off this Wednesday, October 15th, and as part of the celebration, local artists and celebrities have designed mannequins showing their interpretation of style, 100 of which will be on display in the new wing.

The top five winners will be displayed at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts later this month. You can vote for your favorite mannequin here.

Here’s a sneak peek at a few:

Carolina Herrera

Sephora

Simon Doonan

Optical Shop of Aspen

Only three days left until the opening–can’t wait!

I know, I’ve been bad. In fact, waaaaaaay bad at updating as much as I want to so please, do forgive me! In efforts to get your bearings going sometimes, life just gets in the way. In any event, if you weren’t out and about this weekend, I do have to say you missed out on quite the time. Yes, it was definitely something to write home about; especially in this town.

Thursday, October 1st, kicked off Phoenix Fashion Week, an event that in the past has garnered mixed reviews. Why? I’m not quite sure. Scottsdale Fashion Week is known for glitz and glamour while Phoenix Fashion Week is known for bridging local designers with buyers and the media. And for some reason…that’s somehow gotten to be known as a bad thing. Odd since when you look at New York Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week and the rest of the world, it’s all about the designers and the buyers and the press. Clearly those thinking it’s just an excuse to party doesn’t have their priorities straight.

But…I digress. The event went off without a hitch (save for a few sprinkles but nothing a quick hair check in the bathroom couldn’t fix) and celebrating its fifth-year running, it was undoubtedly its best show yet. One designer showcasing right after another kept the audience right on its toes. Li Cari the line from House of Jasmine showcased on MTV was definitely an audience (and editorial!) fave the first night.

Photo by Cathy Bruegger

Her frocks were fun, though for a few looks the fabric didn’t lend itself well.

People were also all abuzz over this season’s Project Runway contestant, Qristal Frazier’s plus-size line which…failed greatly to impress. The clothes were ill-fitting and the models were in need of, well, bras as that kind of distraction bouncing down the runway completely takes the focus away from the clothes. Kudos for sending plus-size models down the runway, just wish the clothes would have been executed right.

On to day 2: the show opened with entertainment courtesy of Far East Movement. Editors, VIP’s and celebrities like Frankie Muniz lined the front row in a surprisingly unpretentious crowd. The show opened with shoe designer J Garten’s line with models carrying the shoes on trays, a unique presentation to say the least.

It’s safe to say many of us were pretty horrified by the blingtastic Crystalishious, but things were definitely more promising with Peter Kent’s handbag line and Kiss the Girl.

I didn’t make it to Day 3. But The Style Files put out a good review you can find here. You can also see some slideshows here and here.

And for those of you still making fun of fashion efforts in AZ, I will say this: This isn’t New York. It never will be. Get over it! Enjoy the fun, enjoy the fashions and realize, everything gets better with time as Phoenix Fashion Week has proven this year and hopefully in the years to come, will be even stronger than ever.

Twice a year, tickets sell out for the highly-anticipated SMoCA Nights event held at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts. The soiree always delivers an evening filled with entertainment, glamour and arts and this Saturday, October 3rd, SMoCA Nights is collaborating with Scottsdale Fashion Week for a special presentation featuring 10 of the hottest up-and-coming local designers.

The lines will be presented at the event and judged by a panel of fashion-industry experts like Dennitta Sewell, the fashion curator at the Phoenix Art Museum and Kate Cavelier, senior marketing manager for Westcor Shopping Centers. Tickets are $15 at the door and can also be purchased in advance by calling 480.994.2787.

The competition-style runway show is a first for SMoCA which has long been a supporter for emerging fashion designers.

The 10 semi finalists include:

Italia Rocks Couture by Natalia Acosta

Siobhan by Elizabeth Albert

Jennvi Dizon Couture

Barking Fire and Lourdes by Patricia Fistes-Adams

AGA Couture by Alex Garcia

Vickilyn’s Closet by Victorialyn McCarthy

iuk iuk by Alina Samasiuk

Nostalgic Boutique by Rebecca Turley

Arte Puro by Emilie Uriarte and Leonor Aispuro

RAW by Amelia Walsh

For more info visit, http://www.scottsdalefashionweek.com.