The Perfect Fall Look With Karen Kane Review And #GIVEAWAY! 10/31

With the 2011-2011 school year underway, the days getting a bit on the brisk side, and the changing foliage all around us, one thing is perfectly evident: Fall has arrived! I'm sure you've all started packing away your summer wardrobe in favor of sweaters, long sleeves, adorable leggings, and all of your other go-to autumn staples. After all, the short shorts, sundresses and tanks just won't cut it year round...At least not in my part of the country.

Recently, as I was going through my own wardrobe, I realized that I had absolutely no cooler weather clothing that actually fit me. You see, I spent the better part of 2 years pregnant, and before that I was a much larger size than I am now. So all I had in the closet were maternity clothes and outfits that drape on me in an odd, tent-like manner since I am around 50lbs lighter now that we have all of the baby-making out of the way. I STILL need to get a coat, since the one I have is a whopping 5 sizes too big! I found that out the hard way yesterday when we went to our first outdoor family gathering of the year. Imagine how weird it felt to be wearing a jacket you could swim in all day long? Awkward, to say the least!

Anyway, I have been actively looking for great fall clothing so I can update my wardrobe. I just turned 30, so I love styles that are cute, modern, and trendy, all while remaining classy and beautiful. After all, I am a Mom, and want to remain presentable without sacrificing style and comfort. Does that mean I am going to revert to "Mom Jeans" and other fashion no-no's many of us recall our own mother's wearing? Not at all! Moms can be stylish, fresh, and gorgeous, and you don't even have to sacrifice comfort. There are some fabulous clothing choices out there that are flattering, beautiful, and ridiculously comfortable. You just have to know where to look.

That's why I was so excited when I discovered Karen Kane. If you haven't heard of this designer, you will. Karen Kane is taking the fashion world by storm with timeless, sophisticated designs that are still flirty and fashion-forward. While trends have changed since Karen launched her first collection, her approach and personal philosophy toward fashion has never wavered. She designs with ease, luxury, and longevity in mind. Her inspiration comes from that which is closest to her soul – the California Coast she has long called her home, the city streets she and her co-workers navigates each day, and of course, her family. When asked about the qualities that define Karen, many of her colleagues and contemporaries quickly point out two things: her professional drive and personal sense of humility. This could be seen as early as high school when she won an award in for “Outstanding Tailoring” from the State of California. That award would be the first of many more – the prestigious FIDM Peacock Award for excellence in design upon graduation, two annual “Best Modern Wear Line” Dallas Fashion Awards, a nomination for the Fashion Industry Guild’s “California Designer of the Year.” In 2000, her husband Lonnie also received an award of his own for “CEO of the Year” from Apparel Magazine (known at the time as Bobbin.)

---

Karen Kane offers fashion that truly celebrates being a woman, in my humble opinion. Her styles are breathtaking, flattering on all different body types, and are feminine and absolutely timeless. They offer a great selection of dresses, tops, coats, skirts, and even pants and leggings that are sure to become fashion staples in any wardrobe. Karen Kane offers such great versatility that her pieces can be worn in many ways, making them perfect for everyday, casual wear as well as dressed up for date night or other more special occasions. Here are some of my personal favorites from the oh-so-droolworthy Karen Kane collection:

How pretty is this?! Perfect for Holiday parties!

I adore this gorgeous coat! Now can I convince the hubby to buy it for me?

This would be great for date night!

I was lucky enough to receive a couple of fabulous items from Karen Kane to review. They arrived beautifully packaged, and I felt just like a kid at Christmas when opening up the beautiful box. Inside, I found an absolutely stunning Silk Ruffle Trim top and a classically elegant Wrap Top Dress.

Here is a photo of the Silk Ruffle Trim top I received. How cute is that?! I immediately noticed just how soft and luxurious this top feels. It is constructed out of a velvety Rayon/Spandex blend, and features intricate silk ruffle trim around the neckline.  It is a very flattering top, and is just long enough to disguise any problem areas in the hip, butt or waist department. Yes, this top is quite slimming, despite its flowing design. I'm sure all of you moms out there can appreciate that as much as I do! The Silk Ruffle Trim Top is also incredibly comfortable to wear. The fabric literally caresses the skin with unbelievable softness the same way a great pair of pajamas would. Yes, it's really as comfy as that old pair of PJ's but so much more stylish! This top can easily be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion, and looks great with a cute pair of jeans and some killer boots or heels.

---

I also received what is quickly becoming my favorite "LBD" or "little black dress." Every woman has at least one go-to black dress for every season. During the summer, I have a black halter-style dress I feel amazing in. For fall and winter, I am pleased to call the Wrap Top Dress from Karen Kane my must-have dress of the season. Sure, you can find wrap style dresses everywhere. But let me assure you, they are not all created equal. Some are much more flattering and comfortable than others. The Wrap Top Dress by Karen Kane is definitely the perfect dress for any woman. Not only is the fabric of this dress amazing to the touch and oh-so-soft, it is also universally flattering. A flared skirt and wrap top ensure this rayon/spandex dress will flatter nearly every body type. It hugs a woman's body in all of the right places while remaining quite forgiving in the areas we might like to disguise a bit more. I have the dreaded belly pooch that seems inevitable after having 3 children, and while wearing this dress, it is pretty much invisible. Long sleeves add a fun finish that’s perfect for the season.I plan to wear this dress for upcoming Holiday parties, on date night, and even just around the house. It can be dressed up or dressed down, and it is probably the most comfortable dress I own. LOVE isn't a strong enough word for how I feel about this fabulous dress! My husband loves it, too, so Karen Kane scored some extra brownie points there!

---

I love this dress!

Overall, I am in love with Karen Kane. She offers beautifully designed clothing that is perfectly suited for my lifestyle as a busy wife and mother while still allowing me to feel like an attractive, stylish woman. These garments are very high-quality, super comfortable, and are made to last and last. Not to mention, the available styles are simply incredible and are versatile enough to become wardrobe staples. So definitely head on over to Karen Kane to see how fabulous YOUR fall wardrobe can be!

BUY IT:

You can check out these and other must-have pieces from Karen Kane on their website. Their clothing can also be found on Amazon as well as at Nordstrom's!

You can also follow Karen Kane on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest fashions and promotions!

WIN IT:

One very lucky follower will be receiving a $100.00 Gift Certificate to use on KarenKane.com!

Please use this handy Rafflecopter form to enter!

This giveaway is open to entrants WORLDWIDE 18+ until 12:01AM EST on  10/31/2011. Winners will be chosen at random and will be announced here, tweeted, shared on Facebook, and contacted via e-mail. The winners will have 48 hours to reply and claim their prize. If I receive no response, I will be forced to draw a new winner.

***Disclosure:I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***