It’s been some time since I’ve returned from the Chictopia Conference during New York Fashion Week, but I won’t soon forget the first two bloggers I met at that event: Kim and Melissa of crowded-closet.com, who I sat next to during Rebecca Stice and Judy Aldridge‘s panel.

Kim and Melissa, who attended college together and now work at advertising agencies in New York and Philadelphia, aren’t the type to let the 100+ miles between their two cities that separate them.  Sharing a passion for fashion and love of shopping, crowded-closet.com chronicles their exuberance and contemporary looks, which has drawn the attention of Glamour, who named them as their Best Dressed Readers.  Herewith are Kim and Melissa’s favorites:

Q&A
beso: What’s your favorite pair of jeans right now?
Kim: J Brand skinny jeans. They hug my body in all the right places!
Melissa: Era of Chaos black skinny jeans – they have phenomenal stitching detail over the knees.

b: What bag(s) are you carrying right now?
Kim: Lauren Conrad for Linea Pelle bag. The leather has been so durable I just can’t retire this bag. Love the partial chain straps. Also this bag opens into a tote shape, so I can shove everything imaginable into it.
Melissa: A Tylie Malibu black leather bag I purchased in Philly a few years back. A single angel wing and gothic hardware make it so rock and roll.

b: What gloss are you wearing right now?
Kim: Russian Red by MAC. It’s so BRIGHT and sassy and easy to reapply between cocktails
Melissa: Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 – all I need.

b: What nail polish are you wearing right now?
Melissa: essieViva la Vespa – it’s electric!
Kim: OPI Do You Lilac It? (Melissa gifted it to me!) It reminds me of spring time.

b: What stores are calling out to you? What are you drawn into?
Melissa: Ginette NY for jewelry – amazing delicate pieces in gold and silver. And Madewell and Urban Outfitters for my spring wardrobe. Stripes and hats please!
Kim: Let’s be serious here. Forever21 is ALWAYS calling my name. Lately, I am finding myself stumbling into a lot more boutiques. One of my new favorites in Philadelphia is Addiction Studios, a makeup and consignment shop.

b: When it comes to consignment, we like Celebrity Owned on eBay. What color is your new black?
Kim: YELLOW, my collection is already growing…
Melissa: Blush or nude. I love the neutrals all the designers are showcasing for fall. It just so happens it works REALLY well with my skin tone.

b: What’s your favorite LBD?
Kim: Honestly, it’s a little black skirt that I have a crush on right now. My high-waisted leather pencil skirt from Purdy Girl. I bought this in NYC the last time I was in town to visit Melissa.
Melissa: My Reiss one shoulder black Charlotte dress and my A.B.S. Allen Schwartz strapless leather dress. They both work so well with belts and I love belts.

b: What designers inspire you?
Kim: phillip lim, Diane von Furstenberg, DKNY. I like the mix of feminine and masculine between these three designers.
Melissa: Araks ready wear is very inspiring. The designer has created a perfect combination of lingerie with structured, menswear-inspired suits. It makes me want to wear my bras on the outside of my shirts.

b: Lastly, we’d like to know: What’s your beso? My beso is: “be so fit”
Melissa: ‘be so real’
Kim: ‘be so positive’