At some point in the career of a fashion industry professional, we must all embrace the tractor beam from the mother ship calling us home. I’m talking about New York Fashion Week. The biannual event that dictates a large portion of what we all place on our bodies in the coming months (Care to disagree? Meryl Streep will defend my position.) is a whirlwind of traditional runway shows, presentations, and events with every major style magazine, editor and celebrities galore in attendance.

For the first time, I packed up all my prettiest Pendleton and other local designers, carefully trekked through the inches of ice on the road Sunday before dawn, and made my way to the Big Apple for three packed days of fashion, fun, and freezing temperatures.