DJ Cunningham

As seen in www.jonesboro.com

In case you aren’t following me here, check out my piece about Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. It is always fun to check out the fashion shows when I can score a ticket!

BCBG Fashion Show F/W 2014

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City is underway despite the nasty weather hitting the city as I sit here and write this post! I was looking super fashionable yesterday decked out in Maje leather shorts, a Haute Hippie sweater, Proenza Schouler jacket – that I bought under the expert eye of Jonesboro’s Jonathan Parkey and my Khirma Eliazov bag.

DJ at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week wearing Maje, Proenza Schouler, Wolford tights, Haute Hippe sweater

My Street Style @mbfashionweek

Today, I’m kicking it in jeans, a sweatshirt, a scarf, wool socks and my Ugg house slipper – sans any make-up. It’s freezing cold and a Nor’Easter just blew through the city. I do have an improv class to make so I’m going to be FORCED to leave the apartment.

Scoring a ticket to a fashion show is a tricky endeavor. I’ve been to several shows with friends who work in the fashion industry. I’ve also been as a guest with Exclusive Resorts. ER offers some amazing “experiences” in addition to their homes in the travel club portfolio. Think Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, Wimbeldon, heli-hiking in Canada and the Food and Wine festival in Aspen…just to name a few.

This week me and my girlfriends, Victoria and Alona, were guests at the BCBG show. Our host from Miami’s GR8 Group, Luca Pavanelli, made sure we were well taken care of for the show. As the shows go, it’s never really about the clothes. It’s really about the people celebrities in the front row.

My fashion entourage with GR-8 host Luca

Food Network star Giada de Laurentis was in the crowd. She was very gracious and stopped to take a photo with me.

On the runway with Giada de Laurentis

As was Orange is the New Blacks Samira Wiley. Samira plays a tough inmate on the Netflix series. But she totally rocked the orange strapless jumpsuit for the show.

Samira Wiley DJ Duckworth BCBG Lincoln Center Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

OITNB Samira Wiley styling in BCBG prison issued orange

Yesterday, my friend Denise Albert and I took in the Nanette Lepore runway show. I have been a huge fan of Nanette Lepore for many years. Her clothes fit like a dream, are feminine without being prissy – I will never be described as prissy- and are made in the U.S.A.

Robert Verdi Nanette Lepore runway show mercedes benz fashion week

Robert Verdi at Nanette Lepore- stylist to the stars

Again it was all about the front row and who was there. Edie Falco from Nurse Jackie, Cat Greenleef from Talk Stoop, Kelly Rutherford from Gossip Girl, Peyton List, Condola Rashad and mega watt stylist June Ambrose held down the front row!

All star front row at Nanette Lepore runway show

A deep bench of fashionistas at Nanette Lepore – anchored by June Ambrose

The collection was beautiful! I must say the Fall and Winter collections are by far more interesting than Spring and Summer. With the deep colors, decadent fabrics and lux furs, the clothes are always inspiring. Especially when it’s 14 degrees outside and you are wearing leather shorts! Hey, I took one for the fashion team! I don’t do those leg work outs for nothing!

Keep up with DJ and her travels by following her on Twitter @mrsdjduckworth and on Facebook at I Am DJ Duckworth. She posts some amazing travel photos and some seriously mundane self indulgent selfies on Instagram, but isn’t that what Instagram is about?

After 3 years of living in New York, I finally trekked out to East Hampton for an off season weekend get away with the boys. I wanted to find out what all of the fuss is about. I typically leave the city over the summer but head West or go on a trip to an Exclusive Resorts location. But right in my backyard is one of the hottest vacation-getaway spots in the country.

For the get-away, our friends gave us their beautiful house on Swamp Road in East Hampton on the way to Sag Harbor. Our first stop in East Hampton was for a boozy brunch at Babette’s.

Babette’s was a hit!

She is big on the farm to table approach to eating. But the food is not what I want to talk about. It was the mimosa, the watermelon mimosa. Fresh pureed watermelon with a half bottle of Mumm Napa Valley sparkling wine.

Trio of yummy goodness

It was unique, simple and delicious!

Later in the day, we drove out on route 27 to Montauk.

You are here!

We were taking in all the sights, the deer and the water…and then a police car. We locked eyes, the police officer and me, and I knew I’d been caught so I just pulled myself over. He asked me if I knew I was going 60 in a 40 and I told him I didn’t even know what the speed limit was…kindly he let me go! Corbin, my 8-year-old thought it was hilarious!! My husband on the other hand, not so much.

We ended our first night in the Hampton’s at Sag Harbor at Tutto Il Giorno. It was highly recommended and frankly, I was highly disappointed with my dish. The boys out ordered me. As we were finishing up dessert, out walks exercise guru to the stars like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow – Tracey Anderson. She looked great. She was wearing jeans, a cropped brown leather jacket and her hair in a ponytail. She is a tiny little thing. It was cool to see her. I mean, I feel like I know her. After all, we’ve worked out together on and off for months now, on DVD, in my apartment.

After 24 hours, I finally tapped into the magic of the Hampton’s that everyone talks about. To me, for the most part it looks like every well kept small town in America.

Small town East Hampton

It reminded me in a way of where I grew up in Carlisle, Arkansas with all of the original old buildings. But the buildings on Main Street in East Hampton are home to Ralph Lauren, Tiffany and Co., Elie Tahari and Brunello Cucinelli.

Brunello Cucinelli Hampton’s style

Instead, The Big Teaze, City Hall and the local drug store can be found in the old buildings in Carlisle, Arkansas. But the Hampton’s are located along the beach and two hours from New York City! Big difference! The trip out was easy, especially since it’s the off-season. We are definitely going back. I’ll leave you with some of the photos I’ve posted on Instagram and included here!