My latest creations are a step away from my typical newsboy hats I've been making since 2008. I've been hit by some British inspirations...and I'm thanking Kate Middleton for wearing such amazing hats and fascinators.

It was a short time ago that the world watched in awe the Royal Wedding between Prince William and his college sweetheart, Kate Middleton. My best friend Sylvia and her 13-year-old daughter Paige woke up bright and early to watch the wedding in their theater style room while wearing tiaras and enjoying tea and biscuits. I, on the other hand, am going to admit that I am not a morning person, and rather set the DVR on my TV to record the occasion instead.

The talk around town was all the fabulous and not-so-fabulous ornaments that adorned the heads of guests at the Royal Wedding. I enjoyed the monochromatic head-to-toe styles and found myself giggling at the absurd styles of others. But the one thing I did respect was that no matter what style was worn, the ladies wearing the headgear were wearing it proudly. Go girls!!

I LOVE Kate's style and hope to bring some of that to Minnesota, no matter how difficult that challenge may be. I am always up for a good challenge. Let's bring back the hat! Derby, newsboy, fascinators, headbands, feathers, sinamay ribbon, buckram...you name it, I'll make it!

I attended the Christopher Straub Runway Show to premier his very first collection since being on Project Runway Season 6 at the St. Paul Hotel with my friends Kristi, Aly & Sara on Sunday, April 25. I must say it was very much worth the four hour drive from Bemidji to St. Paul. The "Bemidji Contingency," as we called ourselves, had VIP tickets which included a special pre-show cocktail party with Christopher and special guest Janice Dickinson (the 'original super model').

The pre-show gathering gave the girls and I a little time to check out Christopher's handbags and accessories. Oh, how we love to shop! Kristi, Sara & I bought ourselves each a Christopher Straub handbag. Love, love, love my new black zipper embellished bag! Then we sipped on champagne and enjoyed some lovely appetizers.

We took our seats for the show in the second row of the VIP seating and were thrilled to see what was in our swag bags. Fun stuff! There was a cute little blue wallet from another new designer and a gift card to Spalon Montage.

The lady who introduced the show was quite enthusiastic. She must have said Janice Dickinson's name twenty times while she was up on the runway stage. Then Janice got up on the runway to introduce Christopher, but instead called him "Christian Straub"...oops.

Christopher came out from back stage and announced that his show was inspired by "all things in the sky." Many of his designs reminded me of birds, with the look of feathers and wings. My most favorite of all the items was a long flowing chartreuse dress made from shiny vinyl pieces that looked like a multitude of feathers. We just had to ask Christopher what fabric that dress was made from after the show. It was absolutely gorgeous! I also liked the vests and jackets he had in his collection, and Aly loved the hand warmers. Those would be a hit in Bemidji where it gets a bit chilly in the fall and winter.

After the show, us girls stood in line to meet and get our photos taken with our favorite designer. Christopher was so sweet and thoughtful. We could tell he was so appreciative of all the support he had received from us. He signed our new handbags too. I was so impressed.

I told Christopher that I was also an aspiring designer and that I had thought about auditioning for PR. He told me "you should totally do it!" Just hearing him say that inspired me to keep working on my designs and someday take that next big step.

I am so totally inspired now. Thanks Christopher!

To see more photos from Christopher's show check out my album on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=420819&id=503190240&l=7fbc3489ee

I am so excited about the upcoming season of Project Runway! I wonder who will be the next Irina, Carol Hannah, Althea, Christopher, Ra'mon, or Logan. Someday it'll be me, I just know it!

Good luck to the 2010 class of Project Runway! I'll be watching intently.

Kick Ass Fashions | Promote Your Page Too

The most wonderful thing happened while I was working on my new hat, "Burgundy Bliss." My husband said the greatest thing and I just have to share. He said, "You're not supposed to be able to do that, you're a sports play-by-play announcer. A seamstress, designer and sports announcer...You're so talented!" Those words are exactly the reason why I love my husband so much. My ego needed to be fed. Great timing, great husband!

Just want to send a very special "shout out" to thank Karin Housley for having me on her radio show this past Saturday to talk about my hats and Kick Ass Fashions. Karin is one of my favorite radio ladies & owner of three of my hats.

I'm not sure if I can get my hands on a copy of our interview, but if I do, I will post it on here for all to hear.

Thanks again Karin!

I will also be adding to my collection this fall with scarves, handbags and other hat styles.

I would love to help you accessorize. Email me if you are looking for something specific or special. I would be happy to create something just for you!

Kelly

Yes, my Facebook/Twitter friend is the one and only Karen Robinovitz of "How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less" and "The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-Inch Heels and Faux Pas." Those two books are the instruction guides for all want-to-be fashionistas. And now Karin is the "Creatrix" at Purple Labs in NYC where she has created a lip gloss collection that not only plumps lips (painlessly), but also contains an appetite suppressant (Hoodia).

I ordered Karen's new product "Huge Lips Skinny Hips" in the color "Lychee Martini" today at b-glowing.com. It'll be a couple days before I get it in the mail. I can't wait to try it! Please check back here for my official review in the coming week.

For more information about "Huge Lips Skinny Hips" check out their website.

Information about Karin Robinovitz