#meredithbanzhoff

[simpinin-blog]

Items I'm loving on Poshmark

So good I had to share! Check out all the items I'm loving on @Poshmarkapp from @thecuratedtomato #poshmark #fashion #style #shopmycloset #meredithbanzhoff #petermillar: https://bnc.lt/focc/EZQpT7PkbR

[meredithbanzhoff]

What do you see?

[meredithbanzhoff]

Behind The Photoshoot : Fall 2015

When I design a new collection I think of where the Meredith Banzhoff woman is, what she's thinking about, and how she's feeling. For this collection I dreamed of her cuddling up on a leather couch by the fire in a country lodge. I was inspired by plaids, cozy flannels, crisp tuxedo-esque white cotton shirts, and sheer black & white silk chiffon prints. 

To shoot this collection we found a speakeasy in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It was perfect! This back room had a fire place, red velvet couches, a piano, and cozy nooks. The perfect location for our Fall 2015 Collection.

It takes a full team of 8 creative people to pull off our well orchestrated shoots. It's so gratifying to be part of this process and I'm excited to share a few behind the scenes photos with you! 

[meredithbanzhoff]

Fashion Week is coming up and Fall 2015 collections are about to launch. Here is a sneak peak of what we're up to...

P.S. Want to stay in the loop and be the first to hear about collection launches and behind the scenes? Sign up for our monthly Style Chat Newsletter Here

[meredithbanzhoff]

15 min Fix : Dress Up That Shirt

How To Be Chic In Minutes With The Basics In Your Closet 

Deciding what to wear to a party can be stressful. Running around your bedroom, outfits tossed on the bed, multiple changes, snapping a picture to send to your friends....ugh nothing is working!

I've been there way to many times.

Here is my 15 min fix to looking effortlessly chic with ease. Sometimes less is more. Try this look.

Shirt: Meredith Banzhoff Onyx Isabella Perfect Fit Shirt - $198

Similar Neutral Skirt: Lela Rose Fluted Skirt - $795

Accent Handbag: Sole Society Red Vegan Foldover Clutch - $39.95

Similar Pearl Necklace: Multi Strand Necklace, Sacks off Fifth - $39

[meredithbanzhoff]

A Trip To Thailand Through Food

For those of you who know me, I love to travel and I am such a foodie! I recently took a trip to Thailand for my honeymoon and per usual, immersed myself in the culture. Cooking with the locals, exploring a silk factory, and visiting the food markets were just a few of my favorite things.

Did You Know Papaya is a Fruit and a Vegetable?

Cook like a local with this authentic papaya salad recipe. Courtesy of Pantawa Cooking School in Chaing Mai, Thailand. This Recipe for Som Tum (North East Thailand Papaya Salad) opened my eyes to new flavors...and I loved it!

Start with fresh ingredients ... and as our chef told us the "fantastic four"

Ingredients: makes one serving

2 Bird Eye Chilis

1 Peeled Garlic Clove

1 TBS Palm Sugar

4 Green Beans

1 1/2 TBS Lime Juice

1 1/2 TBS Fish Sauce

1/4 Small Tomato

1 TBS Baby Dried Shrimp (optional)

1 TBS Toasted Peanuts

1/2 Green Papaya

Tools:

Mortar, pestle, sharp knife, and cutting board

Instructions:

1. Peel the papaya, shred it with a shredder (or mandolin slicer) to thin strips. When a papaya is green it is considered a vegetable. Use a tool like the one below to shave the papaya.

2. Cut the green beans into one inch pieces. Cut the tomatoes into thin strips and remove the inside seeds.

3. Smash the chilies and peeled garlic with mortar and pestle. Add the dried baby shrimp (optional) and continue bashing. Add the peanuts and mix well.

4. Add the shredded papaya and mix with the pestle, slightly bashing. Just enough so the mixture soaks up the flavors. Use a bigger spoon as a support tool that way you can shift the salad in the mortar and it doesn't fall out while bashing and mixing.

5. Add the palm sugar, tomatoes, green beans, lime juice and fish sauce. Continue to lightly bash, shift with the spoon and mix until the juices are evenly distributed.

6. Spoon and serve.

Som Tum is just one of the dishes we made for our 4 course meal. Interested in the other recipes? Let me know, I'm more than happy to share!

HAPPY COOKING!

[meredithbanzhoff]

Its the Holiday Season : 15 min style fix

Parties, Events, Dinners, Oh My!

With so may social events coming up, what are you going to wear? I am here to help with this months 15 minute fix on holiday style made easy. Follow my formula and you will look put together in minutes.

We're all social women, lets make a statement!

Steps to a sophisticated holiday outfit in minutes:

1: Tuxedo Shirt

Go for a colorful twist on a timelss basic. Buy the Meredith Banzhoff  |  Red Lascalla Tuxedo Shirt.

2. Statement Earings

Jazz up your look with a little sparkle. Any small gold and cyrstal earings will work. I love these Bijoux Heart  |  Round Crystal Drop Earrings.

3. Holiday Coat

Wear something different than your normal everyday winter jacket. Go for a jacket that has a sleek silhouette. Wear a statement jacket with clean lines like the DVF  |  Isabelle Coat.

4. Black Handbag

Pick your best looking black handbag. Don't use the same one you use everyday. You want a bag that is in good condition and adds to your look like this one from Botkier  |  SoHo Tote.

5. Ankle Booties

Every woman should have a great pair of black ankle boots in their closet. Boots with a medium heel and clean lines say "I'm sophisticated".  Try these timeless essentials from Sergio Rossi  |  Saddle Leather Ankle Boots

I hope this style inspiration helps you look effortlessly chic with ease! What are your favorite holiday go to pieces? I would love to hear your 15 min fixes.

[meredithbanzhoff]

Heshima Kenya Fashion Challenge : Chicago

We had a successful event and fabulous turn out for the 3rd annual Heshima Kenya fundraiser and fashion challenge. Five designers, including Meredith Banzhoff, Modahnik, Borris Powell, Lagi Nadeau, and Katelyn Pankoke participated in the "Project Runway" inspired competition, which was emceed by Windy City LIVE co-host Val Warner and judged by members of Chicago's Fashion Community, including Dawn Bonasera Global Store Director, Louis Vuitton -The Magnificent Mile Chicago, Trevian Kutti ,and Erica Strama.

In early November, competing designers received two Maisha Collective scarves chosen at random, and  had two weeks to design one original women's look and one accessory. Designers were able to use as many additional materials as needed to create their looks, which highlighted the scarf material.  Each designer participated in a Q & A about their inspiration and looks were judged based on originality, wearability, demonstration of designer personality, and construction quality.

Designers (Lagi Nadeau, Katelyn Pankoke, Borris Powell, Meredith Banzhoff, Kahindo Mateene)

A Meredith Banzhoff design integrating the scarf into the top and trim of this tuxedo inspired shirt dress

Designer Q & A with Windy City LIVE co-host Val Warner

L->R (Willow Star, Meredith Banzhoff, Val Warner)

Above designs by Meredith Banzhoff. Weekend tote was made from the scarves provided for the Fashion Challenge. Dress is part of the MEREDITH BANZHOFF Collection. 

Val Werner interviewing the judges

Designer looks from the #HKFashionChallenge

Designer Meredith Banzhoff wearing a shirt dress from her collection and Willow Star wearing dress and weekend bag made exclusively for the Heshima Kenya Fundraiser Fashion Challenge

Photo Credit: Eulalio Fabi de Silva