Here's how Mary-Kate's week went last week: Tuesday, CelebStyle is giving away pieces from the Elizabeth and James jewelry line; Wednesday, chatted with Fab while drinking a non-vanilla iced latte; Wednesday night, partied with fashion folks at Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld exhibition; Thursday, attended Proenza Schouler's Fall show while wearing a pair of shoes from Elizabeth and James's shoe collection; Saturday, attended the Independent Spirit awards in Proenza shoes. Whew. See how it's all intertwined? It had to be fate, then, that led me and Mary-Kate to a surprise convo at the Elizabeth and James design studio in NYC.I had an appointment to see the highly anticipated Elizabeth and James shoes and to preview the Summer clothing collection. No silly, not with Mary-Kate, she just happened to pop by when I was getting the scoop. Intros were made, Fab stood in shock.

To hear the rest about my surprise MK meeting, read more.

Then we talked all things Olsen. Me, sipping on my GNC smoothie, her sipping her non-vanilla iced latte (she asked the deliverer to make sure it wasn't vanilla — are you getting this, Yum?). We then talked shoes. I can't reveal more pictures yet, but the finely crafted shoes come in either very flat or very heeled form — no in between. My favorites were the pony hair loafers and black suede ruched d'orsay open toe sandals. The Steve Madden team is very involved with manufacturing, sourcing, and distributing the shoes but with the girls’ aesthetic and the Elizabeth and James shoe designer, they are very different from the Steve Madden shoe lines. The shoes are very well made, being produced in China, Mexico, Brazil and Italy, and a price point below heavyweight heels like Louboutin or Manolo. MK spoke about how Ashley was inspired by a trip to Greece and hence created the gladiator sandals.

We then chatted about the quick success of The Row's menswear launch; MK was surprised it took off so fast. I swear, everything they touch turns to gold. We also talked about a friend of mine who worked as their illustrator on their junior line in LA — she said to say hi Jevon! Lastly, she was wearing the Balenciaga sandals in the photo on the left, black holey legging/tights, and an oversize black sweater. She was very polite and mellow. Hope you enjoyed catching up with Mary-Kate — I did!

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