Hyper Pink

Sashay, Shantay! Chance To Win Tickets To NYC Fashion Week

2009-09-01T19:22:00.004-04:00

It's that time of year again: New York Fashion Week! Don't have entree into the billowing white tents at Bryant Park?

Don't despair--you could be one of the fashionable elite, thanks to Hayden-Harnett.

Register at haydenharnett.com to enter their online auction for 10 exclusive invites to their show and a chance to be star in HH's spring 10 collection film.

Of course, you'll need something to wear, so after registering, check out the designer deals at this week's online sample sales:

WEDNESDAY, 9/2

Gilt Groupe: Kate Spade, mixed designer denim, Greenbeads and Adina Reyter jewelry
ideeli: Matisse shoes
Billion Dollar Babes: Multi-Designer Sale (featuring Emanuel Ungaro, Vivienne Westwood, Rosa Chá, Doo.ri, Kaufman Franco, Alexis Mabille, Notify, Lyn Devon, and Enza Costa) & Borba Skincare
Editors’ Closet: Via Spiga handbags
Beyond the Rack: French Connection watches
Hautelook: Neil George haircare, Heather Hawkins bags
Rue La La: James Perse, Superga sneakers

THURSDAY, 9/3

Gilt Groupe: Milly,Notte by Marchesa, Gurhan jewelry
ideeli: London Fog handbags, Tadashi, Lucca
Editors’ Closet: designer clothing Labor Day blowout sale
Beyond the Rack: Balenciaga handbags
Rue La La: 7 For All Mankind, MD Skincare

FRIDAY, 9/4

Gilt Groupe: Jewelry from Mary Louis Designs, Cintrine and the Stones and more, Labor Day Accessories sale, Paige Black Label, Y-3 Adidas
ideeli: Tahari
Billion Dollar Babes: Heidi Merrick & Local Celebrity
Editors’ Closet: designer clothing Labor Day blowout sale
Hautelook: Lollia beauty

SATURDAY, 9/5

ideeli: Red Sale

Whee! Kate Spade Online Sample Sale

2009-08-26T09:10:00.001-04:00

Check here to get your shopping on (sign-up req'd)!

Hello, Avon Calling!

2009-08-25T21:27:00.014-04:00

My vanity and bathroom counters are littered with TONS of tubes and bottles and jars of beauty items from Chanel to Gucci and Revlon to Wet and Wild. Basically, it's like Sephora exploded all over my apartment.

But out of all the hundreds of brands I've tried, Avon somehow never made it into the mix. I remember the "Avon calling" commercials how-ever-many-eons-ago, but for whatever reason, it never really popped up on my radar. And my perception of their products was that they were kind of fuddy-duddy, like your grandma's upholstered sofa encased in protective plastic and frosted blue eyeshadow.

Robin, a friend of mine, recently started selling Avon though so naturally it's the perfect excuse for me to play with all kinds of new beauty goop! Eye shadow, perfume AND they have fashion accessories--heaven. Plus, since I'm going to buy new beauty stuff anyway, why not spend my cash to 1): help out and friend and 2) help support a company that's helped empower women all around the world for 122 years. In a small way, it kinda makes me like Angelina Jolie when you think about it.

Checking out her website, I was really surprised that the range is really comparable to what you'd find at a really good drugstore that has higher-end offerings. And from word-of-mouth and perusing beauty editor picks, Avon doesn't scrimp on quality.

Oh, and did I mention the prices? Pretty much everything is in the $8 - $10 range (excluding fragrance and skincare) and the clearance deals are in-cred-ible. Total guilt-free splurging.

On my shopping list so far:

Mark Flip For It Urban Neutrals palette ($20)

Supershock Mascara ($4.99)

Shine-on multi-task weekender ($35)

Precision glimmer powder eyeshadow ($8)

Dip dye scarves - 2 pack ($14.99)

All that and I haven't even cracked $100 bucks yet. Major score! I think this is the start of a beautiful (pun somewhat intended) relationship.

Do you use Avon products? What are your faves? If not, what's stopped you?

Exclusive Preview: Cover Girl LashBlast Length - To The Extreme!

2009-08-19T22:38:00.004-04:00

Long, luscious, full and flirty.

No matter what's haute on the runway, out-to-there lashes are always in fashion.

Cover Girl is launching a brand new mascara that your lashes are going to love! The new leader in mascara, thanks to #1 LashBlast, will have a lash-lengthening partner in a slim, yellow tube.

LashBlash Length promises 80% longer lashes that won't clump or flake thanks to an advanced nylon brush that delivers a smooth application and a nifty Elasta-Nylon formula for extreme drama and definition.

It doesn't hit stores until September but you have the opportunity to get it early. Click here. Quantities are limited, so act fast!

Essentials To Fall Up Your Summer Staples

2009-08-17T16:58:00.012-04:00

The appearance of back-to-school sale signs at your local mall can mean only one thing: reading, 'riting and retail--it's time to shop for fall fashions!

But wait!

There's no need to retire all of your summer staples for the annual closet switchover. You can winterize your look with just a few key items.

Layer, layer, layer. An oversize, slouchy boyfriend jacket/blazer thrown over your favorite warm weather dress or skirt is comfy, cozy and a chic must-have this season (and has even more appeal if you actually snagged it from your guy's closet).

Add some cardigans, turtlenecks and lightweight sweaters to your wardrobe mix to warm things up when temps dip and use as layering pieces for extra cold protection. Anything that's cashmere with a bit of feminine frou frou will become your new best friend. Throw stuff on and off to suit the temperature and still dress like a the epitome of feminine chic.

Unless you live in an igloo, skip the puffy Michelin Man coat and look for something made of heavy wool or cashmere that's fully lined. Black, camel, off-white, heather gray, or navy are your best bets for a coat that goes with everything. If you're afraid of looking shapeless, there's no better way to combat that than with a belt cinched at the waist.

I wrote about the versatility of a great pair of peep toe ankle boots on "Heels Are A Girl's Best Friend," but if the forecast calls for snow, you're going to have to get a pair of great warm boots, too--I suggest something that looks really sleek with a cute skirt and tights or with a pair of skinny jeans tucked into 'em, but will still keep you warm and toasty without forsaking style.

Rev up your cold weather look with a pair of seriously funky colored tights or dress up your no-nonsense snow boots with a textured or patterned pair. Why not try a footless version on for size? Very retro modern! And if you dare, try on the latest trend: grunge-y, ripped tights. Subscribing to this very cheap chic trend means that hole-y pair of tights you ripped in approximately 48 minutes after purchasing because you were in a rush to get out the door can be salvaged. They're not ruined, they're supposed to look like that!

Of course an outfit is not complete without a fantastic bag! Gray is definitely the new black this season from gritty dark pavement hues, earthy-grey tints and light grey tones. The shade is soft and sophisticated, but with a bit of an edge without looking too goth-y.

How to wear these pieces: Pair a cold-weather piece with a warm-weather piece and you are good to go. Some of my favorite combinations are a wool turtleneck with a miniskirt, a pair of shorts with a long-sleeved cardigan, a black leather jacket with a floral dress, or an oxford-style button down shirt and cashmere sweater with a short denim skirt.

It works for a few reasons, most importantly because it allows you to mix pieces you already own from other seasons with the few fall items (like lightweight sweaters) you'll actually buy, so your wardrobe stretches much farther. It also creates a contrast, which is widely accepted to be a fashion DO.

What are you fall must-haves? Have you started shopping for fall clothes or still living in your favorite maxi dress?

Beauty and the Bag

2009-08-14T11:04:00.008-04:00

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And what better way to behold all that beauty than in an adorable make-up case? Not only can you get one of these "Lola" cosmetics carry-alls custom-designed to match all your handbags, they can also double as a clutch.

It's like a free gift with purchase!

Why bother putting your lip gloss and concealer in something so fancy, you ask? This makes me feel more stylish. And like a present with beautiful wrapping paper, it gets me excited about the stuff inside the bag.

Besides, when you lug around as many ICOME (in case of makeup emergency) supplies as I do, time is of the essence--I can't waste time digging around in the bottomless pit of my ginormous tote.

And for all you cruelty-free cosmetics cuties, check out this fab bag:

I think my gal at My Beauty Bunny would approve.

Ladies, isn't it time to update your makeup bag?

Do you use a makeup bag or just toss your gloss and powder in your purse and go?

Affordable Sample Site Shopping: Gilt Fuse Launches Aug 12!

2009-08-12T00:04:00.009-04:00

Do you love Gilt Groupe but end up doing more browsing than charging up the old credit card since even 70% off designer clothes still leaves a huge price tag?

Prepare to experience the thrill of bargain-scoring at its cheaper, yet still super chic, little sister site, Gilt Fuse.

On August 12, Gilt Fuse ("fusing fashion and affordability") goes live with its first sale. The site is about contemporary brands and has "a deeper inventory and significantly lower prices." I'm talking $75 to $150 here, ladies!

Gilt Fuse will work very much like the Gilt Groupe model, featuring looks from a single designer for just 36 hours at a time. The launch kicks off with sales from Plenty by Tracy Reese, Kova & T, Modern Amusement, CC Skye, TKO Orologi, RJ Graziano, and BCBG, all at prices up to 70% off retail.

UPCOMING SALES:

Kelsi Dagger, 8/13 - The new little-sister line to footwear collection Pour la Victoire known for its platform booties, peep-toe Mary Janes and studded riding boots.

LaROK, 8/14 - A Gossip Girl fave, the RTW line is all about mixing chic with rocker-chick. Spotted on New York-meets-Hollywood starlets ranging from Blake Lively to Scarlett Johansson, LaROK’s trendy jumpsuits, tunic tops, distressed skinnies and high-waisted minis exude a cool, downtown vibe.

All I can say is...thank you!

Gilt Fuse's first sale starts on Wednesday, August 12 at 12pm EST. Membership is by invitation only, but if you're already a Gilt Groupe member, you're in. And if you're not, click here for your exclusive shopping invite.

I know where I'll be at noon--who needs food when there is shopping to sustain me? Are you excited to check out Gilt Fuse?

Fool Me Once . . .

2009-08-09T00:47:00.013-04:00

Kiki is joined at the hip to her Chloe carryall.

MK totes her Balenciaga bag with a new homeless outfit daily.

And half of Hollywood’s starlets seem prepared to have the LV logo tattooed on their foreheads.

Though really, anything that gets the Paris Hilton seal of approval should probably be avoided. And wiped down with an anti-bacterial cloth.

But fashion doesn't have to be serious to make a statement. Ditch the snotty "It" bags for something a little more fun.

Like this trompe l'oiel "Honey" tote ($74.20) from girl crush Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers line. French for "to deceive the eye," it features simulated stitching and sassy sketch accessories for added whimsy. Oh la la, talk about eye catching!

But here's the real deal: an exterior pocket keeps essentials (gum, cellie, etc.) close at hand and there's tons of room inside for all of your essentials and the latest issue of Allure magazine. Maybe even a lunch-time splurge item. Or two.

See what fabulous looks you're missing when you walk around with your nose in the air all the time? Boy, I hope didn't just ruin it for the rest of us normies . . .

DuWop Twilight Lip Venom V Sucks (And Not In A Good Way)

2009-08-05T20:42:00.009-04:00

As a die-hard Harry Potter fanatic, no one dislikes the concept of Twilight—some pansy love story with not a single wizard in sight!—more than I do.

And even though there doesn't seem to be a warm-blooded female on the planet who's not obsessed with Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen, he will always be Cedric Diggory in my eyes.

But despite my lack of obsession with all things pale and sparkly, I couldn't help trying DuWop's Twilight product tie-in, Lip Venom V.

I know, I know.

I've kvetched about my less than stellar experience with the cult-y lip plumper but with the rather sad state of my love life, the promise of a blood-red pout with the power to tempt even the undead was too alluring to resist. It just seemed like something that’s fun, youthful, and easy to wear with heavy eyeliner or a low cut dress.

I tried a few swipes first without shaking the vial to disperse the red stain droplets and though tiny colored flecks clung to the brush, it didn't deliver anything more than cinnamon scented lips. And oh yeah, the same blood-curdling tingle DuWop is known for. Yeow-zah!

For all the patented plumping razzle dazzle, my lips . . . looked exactly the same as before I applied the gloss. And they weren't even particularly shiny. Despite slicking on enough coats to be mistaken for the Exxon Valdez, LV2 is so thin and oily it literally melted off my lips and ran down my chin. WTF? So NOT cute.

Take two. A few shakes "to blend the human and vampire worlds" (insert eye roll here) definitely gave my pucker some color all right. You know the bright red stain kids get around their mouths after sucking on a Popsicle? Yeah. Not exactly the hypnotizing Black Honey-esque look I was hoping for. But if you're trying to achieve that youthful Kool-Aid red shade all the kids are sporting these days, this is definitely the product for you!

To be fair, I tried LV2 a few more times, but as Sean Connery said in Indiana Jones & The Lost Crusade, the "situation did not improve." Color clung to the corners of my mouth and ended up streaky and uneven on my actual lips, and the only plumping action was the padding of DuWop's wallets thanks to the $19.50 I shelled out for it.

Vampires might live forever but Lip Venom V should be staked and sent to product purgatory. Evidently Twilight's first foray into cosmetics, a perfume venture released by Hot Topic that ended up slapped with a lawsuit and a 50% off sticker, was a sign of sucky products to come.

But if the Harry Potter folks ever come out with a line of bubble, bubble, toil and trouble cosmetics, I'd totally be up for trying the "Holy Hogwarts!" lip balm and "Hip Hip Hippogriff" blush!

Just sayin' . . .

Rachel Zoe's Newsletter: "I Die!" Or A Dud?

2009-08-04T12:52:00.016-04:00

I was like a little kid at Christmas anticipating the debut issue of The Zoe Report, the Goop/Daily Candy-like digest of things I want but usually can't afford, from "I Die!" stylist and reality-television star Rachel Zoe.

So it was with manic glee that I clicked on my in-box today, only to find that my gift wrapped fashion treat arrived without batteries.

Whatever I was expecting, it wasn't the paint-by-numbers product pimping piece I suspect a lowly and poorly dressed intern typed up between jaunts to Starbucks and A-list fashion emergencies.

For our consumer-y consideration, Zoe offers up a striking, leopard print Lola Platform pump by Brian Atwood, along with her trademarked catchphrase. To avoid potential legal entanglements, let's just say they're "apples!"

Unfortch, they retail for $680.

Unless Bravo plans to sign me up for a riveting reality show about the life of a broke blogger cum Payless fashionista, they're so out of my budget it's not enough funny. Not even ha, ha funny that's really just polite, yet uncomfortable tittering.

But whereas Gwennie dearest is totally tone-deaf to our sucky economic situation, Zoe at least suggests a real-world alternative for us normies for $129.95.

Where is the Zoe-ness that makes me sentence friends and family to absolute silence from 10-11pm so I can bask in the delicious hi-def fashion glory that is The Rachel Zoe Project?

Inserting her signature quip does not a must-read make. God forgive me, but here's hoping the next issue meets or exceeds the cultural zeitgeistiness of Goop's unintended hilarity (ugh, I think I vomited in my mouth a little ...).

What's Red & White & Fabulous All Over? The Zoe Report!

2009-08-03T08:31:00.010-04:00

Starting tomorrow, The Zoe Report, a daily email featuring Rachel Zoe's current obsessions in the ever-evolving worlds of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, will hit email in-boxes.

Squeeeeeeeeee!

Sign up at RachelZoe.com for your daily dose of glamour.

Are you as excited as I am for the head-to-head between everyone's fave red carpet guru and the goddess of Goop Gwyneth Paltrow?

It'll be like an East coast vs. West coast rivalry, but with more hairspray and WAY better fashion---it's going to be bananas!

Bring it, ladies!

And totally coinky dink I'm sure, season two of her show The Rachel Zoe Project kicks off on August 25.

Free Stuff! Allure August Beauty Blowout

2009-08-02T19:44:00.016-04:00

Imagine being a kid let loose to pick anything you wanted from Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

Well, Allure magazine's August Free Stuff Blowout is kinda like that.

Starting on August 3, and every day throughout the month, you have a chance to win 33,683 amazing fashion and beauty products worth over $564,000!

All 100% free. Ah, my favorite words.

Prizes include heaps of beauty products by Lancome, Molton Brown, Chanel, and Benefit as well as amazing fashion items by Oscar de la Renta, Derek Lam, and Cynthia Steffe.

Sign on to allure.com/freestuff every weekday in August for a chance to win! To have a daily reminder sent to your cell phone, text "FREESTUFF" to ALLURE (255873).

To peep all of the August giveaway goodies, click here.

Here's what's on my weekly wish list:

MONDAY, AUGUST 3 - 12 P.M.
Derek Lam sandals. With resin horn heels, these suede sandals stand out among black shoes (retail value: $790).

MONDAY, AUGUST 3 - 2 P.M.
Shiseido Makeup Perfect Rouge Lipstick in RD304. Makeup artist Dick Page, who created the shade for Shiseido, likes to apply it in multiple layers, blotting between each coat, for a sexy, stainlike finish. The first 325 Allure readers to sign up will get one free (retail value: $25).

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 - 12 P.M.
Calvin Klein Collection Tote. This minimalist leather tote gets you in the mood for fall (retail value: $750).

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 - 4 P.M.
Orly Nail Lacquer in Prim & Proper. For a fresh twist on pale pink nails, try the often overlooked lilac. This sheer polish is truly flattering. The first 250 Allure readers to sign up will get a free bottle (retail value: $7.50).

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 - 4 P.M.
Molton Brown Purifying Plum-Kadu Hairwash. Women seek clarity through meditation, psychiatry—and shampoo. The first 150 Allure readers to sign up will get a bottle of this plum-packed clarifying shampoo free (retail value: $28).

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 - 12 P.M.
Hussy coat. This wool coat with layered sleeves and a wide sash belt is so trim, it could almost pass for a dress (retail value: $209).

What's on your lust list? If you could pick any one beauty or fashion product you wanted, what would it be?

Get Naked! With Bobbi Brown's Nude Collection (Sheesh, Ya Pervs)

2009-08-02T11:19:00.017-04:00

Natural-looking makeup is the beauty equivalent of blue jeans--a look that can totally be dressed up or dressed down. Even better, it's pretty and polished and absolutely goof proof at o'dark-thirty in the morning.

Spackling and blending and excessive primping is just beyond my cosmetic capabilities when my brain is foggy from lack of sleep. I'm lucky if I don't poke my eye out with the eyeliner!

I probably already have more complexion-enhancing shades than most beauty editors, but I can't help being on the lookout for new ones to try. It's in my beauty DNA or something.

So naturally (ha!), I was immediately drawn to the gorgeously understated range in Bobbi Brown's new Nude Collection.

Love! Want! Must-have!

The Nude Eye Palette ($60) includes three eye shadow duos in day-to-night shades in three different textures: soft matte, lightly pearlized, and metallic high-shimmer. What’s great is that you can simply dust a mocha shade on your lids and blend it into your browbone for an effortlessly pretty daytime look. From there, you can put a hint of a darker hue in your creases for some extra depth, but if you’re in a hurry, just brush on the champagne shimmer to make your eyes really pop—add a little black liner on the top and some mascara and you’re good to go. And it has the perfect pairing to give you a sultry smoky eye for cocktails to celebrate not telling your boss where to stick it or your cube-mate that not everyone is interested in the intimate details of her latest trip to Loserville.

I've never in my life even considered spending that kind of cash for eye shadow but when you think about how much you've spent in the past on eye shadow disasters, and the fact that these are colors you'll wear practically every day, it's a totally economically feasible splurge. See, I am the bestie you want to go beauty shopping with because I can justify just about anything. It's a gift.

But it's the Nude Shimmer Brick ($38) that got the gimme! gasp. It's sooooo pretty. It features five pigments-pink, gold, bronze, beige, and caramel that can be used on the eyes, cheeks, anywhere really, for that extra bit of polish and "maybe she's born with it" glow. And who doesn't want that!?

The creamy lip color ($22) gives me pause even though there are lots of pout tempting shades. As a diehard lipgloss fan, it’s been years since I’ve used a lipstick. I can’t help it—gloss just wins my heart. I love the first time you twirl the lipstick up to reveal that perfectly shaped tip but the thrill is gone once it molds itself to your lips. Plus, I'm a slap-it-on and go kind of girl and applying lipstick on your lips and not your teeth requires a bit more time and effort. But the come-hither temptation of the raisin berry shade might be enough for me to go over to the lipstick side, at least for a visit.

Dropping $120 (not including S/H if you order online) on Bobbi's Nude Collection to achieve a natural look might be a bit much, but luckily there are plenty of products at your local drugstore to mimic the barely-there look for less.

Color-matching foundation, lipgloss, mascara AND eyeshadow from Revlon's Beyond Natural collection will run you less than $40.

Here's a sampling of other products that will help get that "you, but better" look:

Do you go barely-there with your makeup or is it just too blah?

Temptation, Thy Name Is Lorac Gift With Purchase!

2009-08-01T16:55:00.012-04:00

Hey, makeup addicts!

Feeling blah? Going through new product withdrawal?

You deserve a little beauty pick-me-up.

From now through Sunday, August 15th, get a full-size eye shadow trio in Bronzed Bombshell, a totally cute cosmetics bag AND free shipping with you spend $50 bucks or more at loraccosmetics.com. Sweet!

If that's not enough to send you into spasms of glittery bliss, unleash your inner drag queen with a Crayola palette of viva Las Vegas golds, envy-inducing greens and passionate plums, load up on lip glosses, foundation and eye shadow -- you know, all the essentials -- in Lorac's "VIP discount" section. Stock up on faves or venture into new beauty territory for up to 50% off. Prices range from $4.99 to $17.50.

Check out some of the best beauty buys:
Croc Mocktail Collection, $7.50 (was $25) - six flavored mini lip glosses in wearable shades from go-with-anything beige-y brown with shimmer to pout-a-porter reds and pinks. Perfectly portable for a long weekend or the nightmare of getting through airport security.

Glam Rocks Loose Eyeshadow, $8 (was $16) - add glitz and glamour to your lids in glided shades that are as posh as the precious metal for a pauper's price. Available in shimmery gold, copper and pearl.

Get even more bang for your bucks, and all over color, with the Snake Charmer eye palette ($17.50, was $35). It comes with four eye-catching shades and a blush in exotic, warm shimmery earth tones that will easily take you from day to night.

If you're feeling more bold, pick the Pink Python (heehee, my inner adolescent couldn't help but giggle at the name!), shimmery neutrals with a hint of turquoise for eyes, and a pop of pink sheen on the cheeks.

What are you waiting for? Go! Get shopping before this glamour girl leaves you bare-faced and empty-handed!

Come On, Gap Happy! Get 30% Off Now Till Sunday

2009-07-30T10:25:00.008-04:00

You're invited ...

Give & Get starts today! Shop and enjoy 30% off during Gap's Friends & Family event!

When: 4 days only, Today through Sunday, August 2

Where: In-store: Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Stores and Old Navy

How: Present this coupon at the register. Use it as many times as you like.

In-store Barcode (For multiple uses)

Shop The "Clearance" Section For Fabulous Deals On Fall Coats!

2009-07-29T18:14:00.025-04:00

It's still muggy outside but thanks to the arrival of all the pre-fall collections, I'm already looking forward to comfy cashmere and cocoa on cool, crisp days. And no bugs. Heaven! But even better than checking out the new merch is scoping out cider weather styles at all those end-of-season sales and final markdown deals.

My mother used to start shopping for back-to-school clothes for me and my sister practically the day after Christmas and was done upgrading our winter wardrobes while it was still hot enough to be playing outside with our Willy the Waterbug sprinkler and drinking Kool-Aid.

It drove me INSANE, but the off-season is the perfect time to hunt for deeply discounted classic pieces to add to your wardrobe and sample here-today, gone tomorrow trends without blowing your budget.

Stretch your shopping dollars even more by checking out the "final sale" or "last chance" sections of your favorite sites; often merch is priced at 70% off or more.

Check out some of the awesome outerwear that's up for grabs in the clearance section:

Converse Denim Trench , target.com, $17.48 (was $49.99)

4-button Cape, target.com, $12.49 (was $49.99)

Mossimo 3/4-Sleeve Wool Coat, target.com, $11.24 (was $44.99)

Xhilaration Crusader Wool Coat, target.com, $11.24 (was $44.99)

Ok, so this coat might not meet many people's definition of cheap or affordable but, HELL-O it's Phillip Lim. On sale. Trust, you'll wear it forever. 3.1 Phillip Lim Boxy Double-breasted Coat, Outnet.com, $342.50 (was $685)

Mossimo Wool Cape, target.com, $11.24 (was $49.99)

Alix Belted Coat, Delias, $49.99 (was $99.50)

Woman's Cropped Peacoat, oldnavy.com, $25 (was $34.50)

God, don't you hate it when your mother is right?

What about you guys? Are you shopping for fall or SPF? Which fall coat is your favorite? Should I splurge on a pricey one or save my nickels and dimes for all the insane shoes I've had my eye on?

Shaving Cream Or Whatever's Handy?

2009-07-27T20:31:00.007-04:00

Some of the best ideas happen by chance. Or in this case, a desire for extra sleep.

I was in the shower this morning after scrounging an extra few minutes under the covers when I went to grab a razor to shave my legs and what I thought was my handy bottle of body wash. Turns out the bottle I grabbed was my DCL conditioner, but I have to say, this improvisational "shaving cream" was the best oops ever!

I gave up buying flowery, silky shaving gel long ago to save an extra step and some cash, and usually just use an extra squirt or two of body wash when legscaping, though admittedly with sometimes stubbly and nicked results.

But the conditioner 1) It rinses out of one's razor much more easily than shaving cream. 2) One capful covers a massive surface area, such as an entire leg plus one armpit. Now that's what I call bang for the buck. 3) Whatever is in it that adds moisture to your hair does the same for your legs. Mine have never been this silky smooth after shaving before. I feel like a model in one of those Caress commercials; I simply can't stop touching my legs. They're like butta, baby!

Now I'm curious who among you buy shaving cream, versus those of you who prefer to multi-task using another product in your shower. Sound off on your shaving secrets in the comments!

Check Your Credit Card Balance: This Week's Deals At Editor's Closet!

2009-07-27T08:19:00.010-04:00

This week at Editor's Closet: Francesco Biasia handbags, Sequin jewelry, Burberry/Dolce&Gabbana sunglasses, Love and Thorns by Rosalina jewelry and Blowout Sale.

Not an EC member? Joining is free.

Francesco Biasia Handbags

Sale starts Monday, July 27 at 11AM EST

Francesco Biasia: Ultra feminine luxury. Absolutely contemporary.

A refined delight, exquisitely chic with a sophisticated touch.

Francesco Biasia: a diverse selection of textures and unparalleled attention to detail.

Sequin New York

Sale starts Tuesday July 28th at 9AM EST

Trend-centric - Only the world's top must-have looks make it into the Sequin collection.

Owners Linda and Kim travel the globe to find them. Home for their muse? The antique stores and flea markets of Paris, Rome, New York and Milan.

Burberry + D&G Sunglasses

Sale starts Wednesday July 29th at 10AM EST

Sophisticated Burberry Sunglasses feature craftmanship of the highest quality. The designs are truly unique and make a dramatic fashion statement.

Designer Dolce & Gabbana eyeglasses eyewear collection offers a signature fashion forward look, with the high performance and durability.

Love & Thorns by Rosalina Lydster

Sale starts Thursday July 30th at 10AM EST

Celebrity jewelry designer Rosalina Lydster presents Love and Thorns.

The latest collection inspired by the iconic symbols balancing the inner psyche is a representation of the finest in edgy and sophisticated fine jewelry.

Black diamonds and oxidized gold are interwoven to create a unique symbol of Love and Thorns.

Accessories BLOWOUT SALE!

Sale starts Friday, July 31st at 9AM EST

You have been waiting for this one!!

Unbelievable prices on unbelievable merchandise. Very limited quantities!!

How In The World Does A Girl Get Her Hands On CG's "Queen Collection!?"

2009-07-26T18:14:00.018-04:00

Riddle me this, lambs: The reason companies advertise something is presumably because they want consumers (i.e. you and me) to buy it, right? This is pretty much the kind of thing they cover in the first 10-minutes in Marketing 101.

But evidently the good folks at Cover Girl have some ulterior stealthy purpose in mind by teasing Queen Latifah's Cover Girl’s Queen Collection and then NOT MAKING IT AVAILABLE WHERE ANYONE CAN ACTUALLY BUY IT!!

Now, if you are one of the millions upon millions of "toasted almond" or "cappuccino" cuties, the frustration of shopping for makeup that doesn't make you look ashy or like one of the Twilight undead in a sea of "beige" and "ivory" is nothing new.

Many of us were mixing shades in Tupperware containers in our bathrooms (come on now, I know I wasn't the only one) long before companies like Prescriptives caught a clue that not everyone is the same one-shade-fits-all.

Fast-forward and today there are definitely more beauty products for woman of color at their local CVS, Walgreens, Duane Reade, whatev, but sometimes it requires the skills of a trained CIA agent to hunt down which stores have them in stock. Yes, yes, department stores offer a Benetton rainbow of shades but damn, sometimes a girl just wants a little beauty lift that doesn't require taking out a loan for a tube of lipstick.

Which brings me to the impetus for my rant. In a metropolitan area with a significant minority population -- not to mention one where the nation's first black president and his ultra stylish wife reside literally just down the road -- why did trips to FOUR separate stores turn up hide nor hair of the Queen collection? In fact, NONE of the deeper shades in the CG range were available. Zippo. Nada.

Honestly, in this day and age of 24/7 Sephora-ification, this kind of beauty scavenger hunt is just ridiculous. For an exclusive product launch, sure, but a mass market (supposedly, but not really as it turns out) line. . . . fuggedaboutit.

Apparently the collection is fit for a queen because Miss Dana Owens is the only one who can get her hands on it! Now, who do I see about getting reimbursed for gas after traipsing all over town in my fruitless search?

Maybelline Lash Stiletto: Lash Out Or Throw It Out?

2009-07-24T23:26:00.012-04:00

It started so innocently--a look here, a lingering gaze there.

It was wrong and I knew it. I was happy with the one I had. God, we'd been together for ages.

But the thrill! The adventure of the unknown!

I was weak and gave in to temptation . . . to try a new mascara.

Straight brushes. Angles brushes. Curved brushes. Lengthening. Curling. Volumizing. I've tried them all. Whatever the package was selling, I was buying.

In high school I used L'Oreal Voluminous mascara almost exclusively. Then in college I dabbled with Maybelline Great Lash, Lancome Definicils, and others.

After a very brief fling with Revlon's 3D Extreme mascara and an ill-fated clumping incident with Mega Lash by Wet 'n' Wild, I'd finally found lasting results with Cover Girl's Lash Blast, you know, the one Drew Barrymore has been pimping. It lengthens, curls and volumizes like crazy and I was happy with my fabulously full and flirty lashes.

But then, the allure of of cute packaging seduced me to try Maybelline's Lash Stiletto. Shaped like a leg-lengthening dagger heel with that black-and-red combo recognized by fashionistas the world over, it promises to do the same for lashes.

Louboutins for your lashes? I was powerless to resist.

Unfortch, once the heady anticipation faded, it was clear that Maybelline's boasts were little more than sweet nothings, focus group tested and Photoshopped for consumer consumption.

While it did lengthen, the bristly brush was so rough it was like using a toothbrush and the mascara was annoyingly goopy, giving me clumped-together lashes that Tammy Faye Baker would have envied. Plus, it had a weird odor that didn't exactly invite you to use it anywhere near your eye.

Epic fail--two snaps up in a "suck" formation. Lash Stiletto is so getting binned. It's not even enough worth keeping just for a quick lash lift before dashing out to Whole Foods. Hey, Maybelline, maybe next thing less focus on the flashy packaging and more on making a fabulash product, m'kay?

So my old reliable Lash Blast isn't sassy or sexy but a momentary mascara lapse proved that it's what's inside that counts.

New Getting Ready Anthem: I Don't Know Too Much About Clothes, But My Hair Looks FIERCE!

2009-07-24T16:16:00.004-04:00

Love RuPaul's sassy "Supermodel (You Better Work)" ditty?

Then get ready to shake what your mama gave ya when you hear the sparkly ode to fabulous hair by mister sister Amanda Lepore.

For those unfamiliar with this silicone-packin’ mama—known as “The Number One Transsexual in the World”– Amanda has been New York City´s “It” girl since the early 1990s when she achieved legendary status as a club legend and fashion icon.

Known for her eye popping balloon-art burlesque and jaw dropping penchant for wrecking the red carpet wearing nothing but lipstick and Louboutins, the trannylicious Heatherette muse has model stomped the runway, launched her own fragrance ($950 a bottle, bitches) and cosmetics lines, and is painting the music biz MAC Spice It Up red!

Her tune "My Hair Looks Fierce" isn't exactly new (it came out in 2005) but it's just now bubbly up like a cheesy fondue and getting mainstream attention.

Check it here.

Warning, you'll be singing the lyrics and tossing your hair around like a Paul Mitchell hair model before the chorus repeats.

Bite Me: Limited Edition Twilight Lip Venom V Offer From US Weekly

2009-07-22T20:17:00.007-04:00

What tween girl wouldn't give up her mortality to lock lips with sparkly vamp Robert Pattinson?

Well, this might be next best thing!

DuWop will launch a makeup collection inspired by the movie Twilight at the end of this year. It will include a movie version of Lip Venom, a lip plumper that looks like blood, which has already been used on set on the tussled hair vamp-throb.

Instead of a gloss, Lip Venom V is a shimmering crimson lip stain suspended in a venom-laced liquid lip conditioner with a super potent bite (watch out!), and contains argan, avocado, olive oils and vitamin E.

According to DuWop:

The product should be shaken before use to represent the blending of the human and vampire worlds and applied repeatedly until lips are plumped, revitalized and the desired intensity of color has been reached.

Sounds . . . intense.

And thanks to tabloid darlings US Weekly, you can get a fang-tastic (ha!) sneak peek before it hits shelves. Use code: Venom54U at checkout to receive an exclusive 20% discount off your Twilight Venom order ($16). Limit 2 per order.

No word yet on other products included in the Twilight line, but there will probably be a super-pale foundation for a total vampire white-out, lilac powder for under the eyes and blood-red mascara in the range.

But if the rumors of a hygiene-challenged RPatz are true, we'll pass on the eau de Edward Cullen.

Knuckle Bustin' Bling

2009-07-21T20:34:00.007-04:00

Being single sucks.

Yeah, I know, not exactly breaking news.

Don't get me wrong, it isn't all bad. No one steals the covers in the middle of the night, leaving you a shivering lump hugging the edge of the bed for warmth. And there's actually milk in the carton when you reach for it.

But as if having to turn into Dale Gribble to deal with the creepy crawlers instead of shrieking from the safety of the sofa isn't bad enough, it seems a city-wide alert went out to every loser-y loser the second your Facebook status changed from "in a relationship" to "it's complicated."

It's like some sort of silent signal that only short, fat, balding and under-employed guys with superb recall of every episode of Battlestar Galactica, and a misguided desire to draw you into a conversation about the original vs. the sacrilegious reboot, can hear.

You’re either fending off annoying psychos, hung up on an annoying psycho, or becoming one yourself. Seems like no matter how it goes, you end up on the defensive.

What you need is a ring. No, not that kind of ring. A knuckle ring. No, not that kind of knuckle ring. A strong-yet-delicate knuckle ring.

Definitely an improvement on the LL Cool J-circa 1988 look, these bad ass knuckle-busters (pair the ring finger with either the middle or pinky ones) are the perfect symbol for that winning combination of go-it-alone toughness and alluring femininity.

Melody Ehsani (Karmaloop.com, $50)

Kaboom Two Finger (Homeroom Jewelry, $136)

Cat knuckle ring (Ambiguous Horse, $220)

True, it’s not diamonds. But the statement is just as powerful.

Aaarrrgggh! Break Out! Neutrogena To The Rescue . . .

2009-07-20T22:37:00.000-04:00

9-1-1 emergency!

9-1-1 emergency!

Ugggh, this week is not off to a good start. One of a few reasons: I have an enormous, throbby new friend located on my chin--quite possibly the most painful and unattractive location for a blemish (although tip-of-the-nose would come in a close second).

And I’m not happy about it. Not one bit. God, it's like being in high school all over again--all of the angst, thankfully none of the term papers.

Can you believe it, Mount Vesuvius-like skin eruptions aren't serious enough to qualify as a sick day? Humpf. So, feeling like every zit was highlighted with a day-glo yellow Sharpie, I fled to my local CVS for every medicated potion, cream and tube I could get my hands on. After perusing my options to the point where I'm sure security thought I was casing the joint, here's what's been helping me through this difficult situation.

Every dermatologist I've ever been to says that the worst thing to do in these situations is to slather on products that strip the skin of moisture but the devil in the convertible with vanity plates on my shoulder was screaming, "girl, desperate times call for desperate measures!"

Needing something less toxic than the skin-stripping varnish of Clearasil yet more potent than Alba's botanical brew, I picked up several products from Neutrogena's Rapid Clear line which sets a pretty high skin-clearing bar, promising clearer skin in eight hours. I also cherry picked one item from their Acne Stress Control brand so that my emergency regimen would have all of the important steps: cleanse, tone and treat.

In the a.m., I started cleansing with the Oil-Eliminating Foaming Cleanser (for acne-prone skin) which has a slightly medicine-y scent and a tingely feeling that makes me nostalgic for the cool and comforting aroma of Noxema. Ah, memories . . . The feeling is pleasant though and nothing like the god awful flesh-eating feel of some AHA and benzoyl peroxide products.

The best part: this stuff builds a thick and creamy foam like whipped cream on the top of a frappuccino. My derm favors clear, non-foaming products but for my money, the lather "proves" that it's digging deep and cleaning out all the icky, pore-clogging crap. My skin was as soft as a baby's butt (and when did that become the barometer of softness anyway?), the redness was definitely less and my face didn't have that tight Botox look that sometimes happens when skin is sucked dry of all moisture like the Sahara.

And since we're on the subject, here's a great tip to try: Skip the drying mask, simply leave the zit busting cleanser on after sudsing for at least 60 seconds before washing it off. It's not only antibacterial, it's actually a great anti-inflammatory. Bonus!

I followed the cleanser with a liberal splash of the Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner which contains something called "microclear technology" to "speed treatment deep to the source." Sure, whatever. Call it goat placenta as long as it works, and this stuff does! Unlike most toners which are pretty much battery acid in a bottle, this formula is infused with green tea and cucumber to soothe and calm skin after its hormonal tantrum. My face felt so fresh and so clean! A definite must to throw in your bag to remove oils and refresh your face after a sweaty workout.

And finally, the Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel. My medicine cabinet will never be without this tiny tube of awesome pimple fighting power! I did a mirror check after about four hours and there was already a noticeable improvement--the size of the zit was definitely smaller, there was zero redness and no puffiness. Talk about truth in advertising! Salicylic acid can be really harsh but this product was very mild without the "burn" that you sometimes get when it gets applied to just cleansed skin, yet totally effective. Plus, it dries clear without stickiness so you can easily dab it on affected areas before putting on your makeup.

So for about $30 bucks, I skipped a derm appointment and can leave the house without wishing for a turtleneck and hat. Thanks to the zit zappers at your local pharmacy, the doctor is always in!

Bowed Over

2009-07-18T21:15:00.012-04:00

The backpack.

Sure, it's big enough to hold your stash of stuff and still leave you hands free to double-clutch your Starbucks venti mocha cappuccino and biscotti, but it just screams "third period with Mrs. O'Dwyer for English Literature."

The only thing missing: a Trapper Keeper with Johnny Boy's name and hearts scribbled all over the front.

So unless you're hiking through Europe for your last romp with adolescence, ditch the sad sack for the flaunt-it now Valentino Bow Tote, the TDF combination of preppy-sweet meets portability.

Available in red and black, the sassy side bow adds a Alexis Morrell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan vibe to dress up your "the corner office will be mine" power suit. And after climbing the corporate ladder all week, throw it over your shoulder with a pair of jeans for a touch of lady-like whimsy.

At $895 from Neiman Marcus, you might have to clock a lot of over-time to afford the princely sum. Or skip the whole Ramen noodle debt diet and sling this Brick Lane tote by Marc B. on for size (Topshop.com, $120).

Honestly, going to work from 9 to 5 is hard enough; dress up the doldrums of everyday with a brilliant bag!

Celebrate! Crappy Crocs Headed To The Giant Clearance Bin In The Sky

2009-07-16T19:43:00.014-04:00

Yes, Christmas has come early!

Crocs, that most fug of footwear, could be going the way of the doo doo bird come September.

Despite all fashion sense and visual acuity, the label somehow managed to sell millions upon millions of pairs (100 mil to be exact) of those sweaty-foot causing plastic shoes over seven years.

Seriously, Crocs are the footwear equivalent of a giant "You will never have sex again" sign. Shudder.

I love comfy footwear as much as the next gal—yup, I practically live in flip flops until chilly temps force me into sensible shoes —but if I see another pair of those colorful plastic garden clogs on the city streets, expect the long, painful death of my inner style freak.

Case in point: Sunday afternoon. Downtown DC. A perfectly lovely girl in her mid-twenties wearing a sleeveless summer dress, a chic fedora, oversize aviators…and Crocs. For the love of fashion, why spoil a perfectly good outfit with these shoes that look more like garden hoses or colorful sponges than like actual footwear? Why?!

No comfort is worth the style shame.

Luckily, the universe has no room for this sort of hideousness, and as fate would have it, the economy crashed. Crocs customers realized their money is best spent on anything other than that absurdly ugly footwear.

Now let's all join hands and send out our collective karma vibes to the style gods that a similar fate befalls Uggs and all things Ed Hardy. . .

Fuller, Angelina Jolie-like Lips -- Without Injections!

2009-07-15T22:05:00.012-04:00

Thanks to bee-stung lipped Angelina Jolie, lip plumpers are big business (ba-bum ching).

When DuWop's Lip Venom first hit beauty counters back in the day, I was one of the millions of eager guinea pigs. But the full-on assault of spicy, tingly essential oils and cinnamon and ginger made me look more like an assault victim than femme fatale. Yikes!

Try this much more flattering -- and way less painful -- lip-plumping makeup trick: Add a schmear of shimmer lipgloss over lipstick or bare lips right in the middle of your lower lip and in your cupid’s bow. The extra bit of shine and light-reflecting particles create the illusion of an instantly fuller pucker, without making you look like you're in need of medical attention.

Remember that blurry camera trick Cybill Shepard used on "Moonlighting?" Well, my favorite shimmery gloss, Guerlain Kiss Kiss in Beige Secret, is a soft goldie beige that is like a magic eraser that softens the lip line by mimicking your natural lip color, thus making your pillow-y pout appear fuller.

Give it a try and see if you don’t see the effect right away. The difference is subtle, but it’s enough to give you a little confidence boost.

Scents Of A Woman

2009-07-13T23:02:00.013-04:00

My mom's signature scent for most of the 70s and a chunk of the 80s was Charlie (and they call it, Char-lie -- great, that jingle is now stuck in my head ...). She only changed it up because they stopped making it.

After that it was L'Air du Temps, which I thought was just the height of too much because it sounded very oh la la and sipping-tea-with-lemon-and your-pinkie-finger-cocked-just-so. When she's feeling particularly sassy, she'll go for a walk on the wild side with a daring splash of DKNY Cashmere Mist behind both ears. The hussy.

I, on the other hand, am not a scent monogamist. For me, perfume is an accessory, as important as a pair of shoes or a purse. And just as I change the earrings I wear from day to day, I don't wear the same fragrance.

I've dallied with florals. Experimented with citruses and vanilla. I've even spritzed l'eau pour hommes. What, is that so wrong?

During the warmer months I love floral scents. Eyeballing my vanity, there are about six bottles in current rotation with YSL Baby Doll, Harajuku Lover's Love (how frigging CUTE are the bottles!?), Marc Jacobs Daisy and Pucci Sabbia being my go-to faves. Well, this week anyway.

And when it gets chilly I tend to reach for something spicy and heavier, like Gucci Rush. Same goes for day to evening—the fragrance I wear to work is rarely the one I put on for an evening out.

Perfume is like potato chips--how can you settle for just one?

How about you? Do you have a perfume wardrobe too?

Headbangin' Headbands

2009-07-12T12:08:00.008-04:00

Ok, here's the deal. Achieving cute hair in DC's summer heat and humidity is a losing battle.

My hair vacillates between being as poof as a French poodle's fur or flatter than a pancake without yeast. So since I can't afford to have Ken Paves on speed dial, I have thrown in the proverbial towel and stocked up on headbands.

They're the perfect solution for a bad hair day -- or in this case, June to August -- plus, they're cheaper than a weave and you can start your morning without the glorious smell of burning hair.

I'll worry about styling in the Fall when a PhD in hair engineering is not required.

Headbands have seen a major revival these last few season, thanks in part to Gossip Girl, but I think they make the perfect accessory to any outfit! But for the record, I’m not a huge fan of wearing headbands around your head vs. around your hair. I like the look in the editorial pages of my favorite glossies but IMO it just looks ridiculous when you're standing in line at Starbucks. Unless you're on your way to audition for a part in Hair or as the third elf in a stage production of Lord of the Rings, it just looks costume-y.

If you’re going to make a statement with your headgear, why not do it in a more subtle, wearable way??

Can You Hang?

2009-07-11T18:31:00.014-04:00

My apartment is a hodge podge-y mix of bits and pieces from places like IKEA, Pottery Barn, West Elm and a few little boutique shops. Pretty mass-produced for the most part. But the pictures on the wall and pillows on the sofa are the odds and ends that help make a space a home.

There's really no rhyme or reason to my design scheme other than I happened to like a particular item. Or it's red. Somehow or other it's become a signature color, though if you were to look in my wardrobe you wouldn't find more than one or two articles of clothing in fire-engine red.

If I had to put a name to it, I'd say the look of the space is "eclectic eccentric." The Cartman plushie and handmade doll from South Africa gazing at me from my bookcase would agree. Weird, yes, but it works.

But there was one wall that taunted me with its blankness for the longest time. I must have looked at a thousand prints and posters for inspiration--nothing. I checked out modern and classic art exhibits. Nada. I searched frantically on Google, using terms like "modern art" and "contemporary art" without luck. Do you any idea how many hits that brought up? Oye. It became easier to pinpoint what I didn't like rather narrowing down what I could commit to putting on that blank, load-bearing menace.

In a totally random moment, I ducked into an art gallery in a school for students with special needs near my job during my lunch hour. Called WVSA ARTs Connection, the school uses the arts to teach kids and helps them learn business skills and money management through the sale of their work in the gallery and commissioned pieces. Students receive a 30% commission and the rest goes to support the art program.

The artwork was simply amazing and humbling for someone who can barely draw a recognizable stick figure. And as I strolled through the gallery, I finally found it--the picture I had been searching to find for months. Surprisingly, after all the Jackson Pollack and Andy Warhol prints, and Guggenheim knockoffs, the perfect picture turned out to be a colorful abstract by a 14-year old boy named James. It was a total win-win. My wall was now brightly adorned and both the school and James benefited from the sale.

Original, affordable art that's actually art. And for a good cause. Picture that.

Sometimes you just need to unplug and explore the nooks and crannies in your own backyard. You never know what treasures you'll find.

WVSA ARTiculate Gallery, The School for ARTs in Learning & WVSA ARTs Connection, 1100 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036. For custom orders, call 202.261.0204 or email gallery@wvsarts.org.

Pucker Up! Make Your Pout-a-Porter Beauty Mark

2009-07-09T18:25:00.009-04:00

Diva.

Viva Glam.

Flair.

Wicked.

An image may be worth a thousand words, but a sassy little product name can be just as enticing.

Admit it, you've probably purchased a little cosmetic pick me up in part because you liked the name. Guilty as charged.

Now Lancome is giving all you PYTs the chance to make your beauty mark. Chris Benz is the latest fashion provocateur to partner with the company on an as-yet-unnamed shade for their Pout-a-Porter series--past collaborators include Peter Som, Thakoon, and Behnaz Sarafpour.

Lancome is letting you name the shade, which is inspired by his Spring 2010, as long as it's incredibly creative and awesome. Naturally.

You can post your suggestions to Benz's fan page on Facebook. Anyone can post, and the winner gets a $500 Lancôme gift certificate, bragging rights, and of course, a supply of the lipsticks, which tend to sell out in a heartbeat.

I'm off to the Lancome beauty counter. Uh, strictly for research purposes, of course.

Deadline is July 12, at 5PM EST. Good luck!

Smooches, XOXO.

Leanne Marshall's Collection Finally Arrives At Bluefly!

2009-07-08T18:13:00.020-04:00

Remember Leanne Marshall?

Hop in your DeLorean and flashback to a time not so long ago before Project Runway was almost sued off the air to the series' most recent winner.

Surely after that very messy lawsuit, Christian Siriano's whirlwind success, and Kenley Collins' projectile-cat case, you have room in the corner of your brain to remember the quiet bespectacled brunette who described her design theory as "Holly Go-Lightly attends a Salvador Dali exhibit?"

Finally, after months and months of waiting, and a change in the show's network to boot, her collection for Bluefly has hit online shelves. The nine-piece collection features softly draped and sophisticated pieces in oceanic blues and corals. Each piece is made from eco-friendly materials, with prices ranging from a bit under $100 for delicately ruffled tops to almost $1,000 for an elegant empire gown.

But despite her bold style statement, there's a definite "deja vu all over again" kind of feeling when you look at the pieces, no?

The vintage-y meets architectural origami aesthetic was fresh and new just a short season or two ago, but style waits for no man. Or woman. Now, ruffles and folds and pleats have been turning up everywhere from the Oscar red carpet to your neighborhood Ann Taylor Loft.

Honestly, she had to sew practically every day on PR and produce a collection for the finale, couldn't she have sewn faster or something?

Love the the look of Leanne's line but not the price tag? Make it work! Check out these Leanne-inspired looks for less:

1. Moonlighting ruffle skirt, Mod Cloth, $39.99

2. Ruffle tank, Gap, $9.99

3. Soft petal dress, Forever 21, $36

4. One-button jacket, Bluefly, $82

5. Warehouse Concertina pleat dress, ASOS, $85.50

Project Runway fans, what do you think of Leanne's Bluefly collection? Worth the wait or should it be auf'd from shelves?

Urban Decay Complexion Primer: Put Your Best Face Forward -- FREE!

2009-07-06T20:54:00.017-04:00

"Hi, my name is Paige and I'm a makeup junkie."

Seriously, I'm surprised Candy Finnigan hasn't staged an intervention to get me to deal with my obsession.

If it's new, improved, revolutionary, patent-pending, made from rare, possibly extinct ingredients, yes, please, I'll take two. And if it comes in a really cute package? Fuggedaboutit. Do you take Visa or MasterCard?

And yet I was a late adopter of the whole primer craze. I pooh-pooed and rolled my eyes, dismissing it as a cosmetics conspiracy to pry every last nickel and dime from my wallet for a completely unnecessary step in my beauty routine. Kind of like the eyelash curler. There's not much I won't do for beauty but using a medieval device to get flirty lashes? Pass.

But I ate my words after trying Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light from Smashbox which builds a smooth, pore perfect foundation for your makeup. It's the makeup equivalent of a Wonderbra for your face; it's you, but better. Total genie in a bottle. It's the next best thing you can do for your face beside cleansing and moisturizing.

As much as I love it though, I'm SUPER psyched to get my hands on Urban Decay's Complexion Primer. If you love their eyelid primer, imagine what this product can do with this one for your whole face! Sure, Smashbox is good but what if this is better?! It could be THE ONE, like the elusive pair of perfect jeans.

Sephora Beauty Insiders (aka card-carrying beauty addicts!) can try it FREE before anyone else. Just use code URBANLAB at checkout when you purchase online from Sephora. Not an insider? It's easy to get behind the beauty velvet rope. Click here to sign up.

Addiction definitely has its rewards!

Happy Chic 4th of July!

2009-07-03T09:38:00.005-04:00

"Holiday! Celebrate! If we took a holiday . . ."

Madonna on the iPod, sunny skies, fireworks and BBQs on the beach. Ahhhhh, long weekend here I come!

In celebration of the nation's birthday, show your patriotic pride in super cute red, white and fabulous looks that won't cost you a whole lotta Benjamins.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Clutch Moves

2009-07-02T22:40:00.010-04:00

Believing that "your jewelry should be priority number one when choosing your outfit," designer Amrita Singh combines her passion for bling with that other all-important accessory--handbags.

Case in point: Her Indian-inspired sari clutch has a glam goa jewel that adds a dramatic je ne sais quoi to any look from a pair of pegged jeans or classic LBD.

You might be stressing out about what to wear to so-and-so's wedding or wondering why suddenly every dress you see is strapless just when you're looking halter for a formal event, but when it comes to what to carry, it's in the bag.

Plus, this larger-than-it-appears clutch has plenty of room to stash your cash, lipstick, cell phone and credit cards. It's 11" in length when unrolled and 3.75" when rolled and looks much more expensive than it's $24 price tag (was $75).

It's just the thing to satisfy a modern girl's love for looking fabulously original.

Available for a limited time only at the HauteLook.com sample sale, going on now.

So Shady . . .

2009-07-02T11:15:00.010-04:00

What's summer without the perf pair of SPF-blocking shades?

Unfortch, I am to sunglasses what Kryptonite is to Superman--a total destructive force.

And the more expensive they are, the faster they seem to get lost, broken or just simply disappear into the Bermuda-triangle like depths of my tote bag.

The first time I was able to spring for a designer label, I got a fab pair of Gucci sun blockers. I felt like I had arrived the moment I put them on, that exclusive double GG snobbishly letting everyone know I was a woman of means. Well, not really but they didn't have to know that did they? They lasted about a month before the teeny tiny, impossible-to- find-once-it-falls-out screw came loose.

I tried again through the years with D&G, Kate Spade, Dior and a few other bold-face brands with the same result. From then on I ditched the luxe lines for cheap chic versions. Some of my favorites have been from street vendors for less than $10 a pop. It's impossible to damage them! I have dropped them, stepped on them, left them on the dash in 90 degree heat, I even sat on a pair once! Nary a scratch.

Right now, I'm madly in love with the over-sized retro round style celebs like Nicole Richie and Jennifer Lopez have been sporting. Very "no pictures, please!" I've been wearing a Mossimo pair that I picked up at the bullseye emporium for about $12.99 that is very similar to their Jackie-O look, but I literally squealed out loud when I came across these beauts from Fred Flare.

Fittingly, they're called the "Nicole" and retail for just $11 (avail in black and turquoise). I'll be practicing my paparazzi pose until they arrive.

Faith21: Plus-size Stylish Steals!

2009-07-01T20:02:00.013-04:00

File this under refreshing: The fashion industry has finally realized that style isn't reserved for size-0 bobbleheads. Stores like Lane Bryant offer cute clothes, but if there are more than three plus-size women at one wedding, chances are at least two of them will be wearing the same dress.

Enter Faith21, Forever 21's new line for girls in sizes XL, 1X, and 2X.

Happily, there are no frumpy, slumpy mumus, though the leggings really could have been left on the cutting room floor. The collection is very spring/summer-y and the design aesthetic follows Forever 21’s trendy take on everything from runway knockoffs to jersey basics. Only the number printed on the label sets them apart from Forever21's regular line.

The looks tend to read a little young, as is to be expected, but there are a few pieces that can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe regardless of the taunting numbers on your birth certificate or the season.

The ruffle-front dress ($22.80), pinched trim dress ($22.80) and the front pocket pleat dress ($24.80) are fabulous shapes that will look good on just about anyone. Bonus: The neutral color palette means they can be accessorized to the hilt. You can get tons of mileage out of these pieces with a few pretty pieces, easily going from the glare of fluorescent office lights to blinking neon club signs. They're also totally wear-able for a weekend shopping trip or caz lunch with your gaggle of gal pals.

Work may be boring but who says you have to dress like it! For the 9am -5pm grind, throw on a blazer (#10, torrid.com, $19.99 and #15, oldnavy.com, $32.50) or cardigan and slip on a pair of heels, like the go-with-everything "Persia" peep-toe slings (#11, Forever21, $29.80).

The bold animal-print tote (#8, amazon.com, $23.95) is stylish and large enough to schlep work papers, your cellphone and the breakfast of champions, a bottle of diet Pepsi. Add gold accents like the dramatic oval stone ring (#4, ardenb.com, $18) and rope drop earrings (#19, charlotterusse.com, $6.50) for a bit of professional polish and you'll be climbing the corporate ladder in effortlessly chic style.

After hours ditch the cover-up, rock a side pony, put on some sexy, arch-reveling metallic heels (#1, bakersshoes.com, $29.99) and show your personality with fun and flirty details. Pile on an armful of pretty in pink bangles (#9, charlotterusse.com, $4) and show "girls just wanna have fun" with a tres fab flower ring, (#13, forever21.com, $3.80). Oh, and don't forget a pair of glittery earrings that sway to the thumping beat. Grab a cute clutch and dance the night away!

Leave the sweats at home for your weekend shopping trip. Put the white cardigan (#2, oldnavy.com, $32.50) on over the ruffle-front dress and the striped metallic belt over it (#17, charlotterusse.com, $10.99). Sling the bubblegum pink hobo bag over your arm (#14, charlotterusse.com, $19.99), add a pair of ballet flats or gladiator sandals and you're good to go!

When temps start to get a bit nippy, winterize your Faith21 looks with a crisp, white blouse underneath, add some texturized tights and swap your strappy heels for a pair of booties or tall boots.

Really, the looks you can create with just one of these dresses and a little tzujzing are endless. Not bad for less than $30.

Other items shown:

#3 - Pleated metal purse, charlotterusse.com, $28.99
#5 - Marbelized circle bracelet, charlotterusse.com, $4.00
#6 - Teardrop earrings, aldo.com, $10.00
#7 - Double-latch belt, forever21, $8.80
#12 - Metal cuff, forever21.com, $6.80
#15 - Turquoise stone necklace, charlotterusse.com $19.99
#17 - Striped metallic belt, charlotterusse.com, $10.99
#18 - Jersey cardigan, oldnavy.com, $12.99
#20 - Croco faux tote, forever21.com, $34.80

Have you worn any of Faith21's fashions? What did you think?

Fabulous Nails . . . Fast!

2009-06-26T00:51:00.009-04:00

Having to cut back on my weekly manicures caused a mini beauty freak out.

Seriously, there was an internal debate about whether I could stand watching local TV if I had to cancel my cable subscription to be able to afford my regular sudsy soak at the nail salon.

True Blood won.

But no worries. DIY-ing a semi-professional mani look is easy peezy.

Like with a good outfit, start with a good foundation. The most expensive shades won't look good if your nails are raggedy. Gently shape your nails, being careful to file in only one direction. I've retired the square Carmela Soprano look for a softer square with rounded sides (or “squoval,” in nail-industry speak). If you're doing your nails yourself between salon appointments, just a few passes with the nail file will help maintain the shape.

I love the sexy, siren red on the third self at the nail salon. I’m insane for glittery pinks and shimmering purples in square bottles. Gunmetal gray? Slap it on me. White, eh, not so much but I’ll try anything once. Speaking of which, I'm out of the whole gray-nails phase, for the moment. Too high-maintenance for my low-key, lazy days of summer psyche.

Right now I'm into nails that are a simple, clean and unfussy. Like a refreshing lemonade after the winter's heavy wines and reds. Besides, who wants to spend time waiting for their nails to dry when the sun is shining?

I'm into neutrals (what the heck is "flesh-tone" anyway?)--like warm, shiny shades that kinda-sorta matches my skintone, but with a hint of shimmer. The bonus is that neutrals won't show flaws if you end up with a smudge or smear or if it chips. And they make your fingers look longer and leaner because the color is close to your skin tone--perf for showing off that sparkler on your finger, whether it's for real or faux.

Think of them like the perfect nude shoe for your nails!

Sheer formulas are a good bet but you can grab a cream or lustre version and just use fewer coats for a similar effect. Avoid frosts though. Not only do they scream "great-aunt Mabel down in Boca," any imperfections or chips will be more visible. Same with mattes.

Here are a few faves:

"Aston" by Butter is an utterly delicious toffee color with a hint of gold shimmer. It's like a caramel candy treat for your fingertips. Yum.

Another fave is this glitter-y gold called "West End Wonderland" which is also by Butter. Gold, glitter, glam ... what's not to love? It's an grown-up glitter (yes, there is such a thing!) than you can wear during the day to the office without fear of looking like a kid's art project run amok. And it's a gorgeous way to set off sun-kissed skin.

I'm a girly girl at heart, so naturally I love pretty much anything pink. But finding the perfect pink nail color that wasn't too pale, too white, too chalky, too Pepto-Bismol, too whatever, was a trial in patience. And I have the drawerful of rejects to prove it!

But persistence paid off. "Angel Pink" from Milani's French Manicure collection ($4.99 available at drugstores) is a petal-soft pink that is universally flattering (goes on lighter than shown). You can literally slap on a coat and two in the backseat of a cab when your boss pulls you into a big client meeting at the last minute and end up with perfect looking nails by the time you reach your destination. Er, so I'm told . . .

And somehow this formula makes the tips of your nails look whiter and brighter for a French mani-like look. Genius. It's not labeled as a quick dry formula but you can safely hunt for those pesky keys that keep following all the way to the bottom of your bag in about five-minutes. May the beauty gods smile on me that they don't discontinue this one!

Once your nail color dries, finish with a clear top coat for a Teflon coating and added shine. I use Oh So Wet! ($3.99, Sally Beauty Supply) but any brand from your local drugstore will do. Using a top coat can extend the wear of your handiwork (ha! pun somewhat intended) an extra 3 - 5 days. Really.

All told, you'll have fabulous nails in less than 10 minutes!

Prefer a French-mani? Get an oh la la look in just two steps.

Try Sephora's Easy French Manicure Duos ($8). It's an all-in-one tube with a dual-ended wand with a clear base coat on one end and a sheer topcoat shade in either pink or beige. It dries super fast, making it ideal for nail polish emergencies, plus you can just throw it in your makeup case when you're traveling without taking up space with two bulky bottles.

Voila! Best of all, you don't need to use those annoying, sticky stencil tip things that seem to require a freakish degree of dexterity to handle.

What tips do you have for fast and fabulous nails? Dish in the comments!

Crazy For Cardigans!

2009-06-24T15:38:00.015-04:00

"Victory is mine! Victory is mine. Great day in the morning, people, victory is mine.... I drink from the keg of glory ... "

I'm totally savoring my Josh Lyman-esque fashion moment because cardigans -- my long-standing wardrobe staple since about the eighth grade -- are suddenly haute.

Ha, take that Jenny Simmons!

Ok, fine, so Michelle Obama might have had a liiiittle something to do with bringing them in vogue but still.

I favor cardis partly because I'm always cold but also because they're a great alternative to the traditional blazer or jacket, which have always seemed too buttoned down and stuffy to me.

They're perfect to throw on over a summer dress or layer with contrasting tees. Add the right accessories, they can be dressed up or down and take you from the boardroom to the dining room at your favorite restaurant. They're like the sartorial equivalent of tofu! If you're packing for a weekend getaway, a cardi is a throw-in-the-bag must.

Cardigans usually seem to disappear from stores shelves in June - August, but thanks to the craptastic economy, stores are pimping them out at fabulous end-of-season sales so now is the time to buy. Old Navy and the Gap are always good bets for this versatile garment, but Banana Republic and J.Crew, two stores that I don't shop at until the red sale signs come out, have really marked down some super cute styles (I'm insane for the cascading petals cardi at J.Crew) that will take you through the warm weather months right into fall/winter, some as low as $30.00.

Not a Betty Draper fan? Play with proportions for a simple update on a classic silhouette--three-quarter length sleeve, oversized boyfriend cardigan, cropped, draped front, sleeveless . . . take your style pick.

For work, throw on a cardigan over a shirt with a slightly long hem that peeks out from the bottom, roll up the cuffs and slough the sleeves. And as the final finish, pop the collar. Preppy and professional. To give the look more polish, swap out the necklace for a warm, Frenchy-looking patterned scarf. So Naughty Nanette-like with a pencil skirt!

It's a cinch to give your cardi new life. Look sophisticated and not just-rolled-out-of-bed sloppy, by topping it with a belt---wide, skinny, leather, ribbon, whatev. Try two skinny belts for more visual interest. Besides looking oh-so cool in that MOD way, the cinched-in look has a sveltering effect. And you didn't even have to break a sweat!

Small details make a big statement so show some personality with a fun accessory. Remember the ginormous flower Carrie wore in the Sex and the City flick? So whimsical! Too much of a muchness? Try a blinged out broach or vintage pin. For really unusual flair, visit Etsy.com for one-of-a-kind creations.

How utterly j'adorable is this feather and rhinestone brooch?

Don't be afraid of color. Add a pop of color to a basic black wardrobe (guilty as charged) with cardis in rainbow hues and patterns. Mix-and-match stripes with florals, and plaid with stripes. As Stacey and Clinton remind us every week: Things don't have to match, they have to go. Choose a patterned cardigan (simple ones like florals, polka dots, or stripes all work well), and then opt for a contrasting pattern in the same color palette for the shirt underneath. Instant chic!

What do you think? Are you a cardi chick too? What's your favorite way to wear it? You know what to do, discuss in the comments!

Look for Less: Valentino Floral Tote

2009-06-22T00:39:00.001-04:00

If I had a million dollars, I'd have a Valentino 'Glamorous' floral tote in every color. With a bouquet of leather flower embellishments, it totally lives up to its name. But with a princely $2,995 price tag, I can only wipe the drool from my mouth in bag envy.

But I refused to be defeated. I was a woman on a shopping mission. So I set my Shop It To Me alerts in the unlikely event the bag goes on sale at an amount that wouldn't have me deciding between Ramen noodle flavors. Yeah, still waiting.

I had better luck searching through the hundreds of retail sites I have bookmarked and my admittedly obsessive tendencies paid off.

Check out this totally cute 'Oasis Flower Satchel' from Jessica Simpson. Yes, you read that right. Who knew? Jess might not know the difference between canned chicken and tuna but the girl has an eye for cute accessories. The style obviously isn't as luxe as the one by Valentino but it captures the same spirit of whimsy and it's tres summertime fabulous.

It's on sale for $69.99 (from $98) at Baker's Shoes which is one of my all-time favorite stores. I've been shopping at the one in Chi-town since scrunchies were in and have yet to make a trip without leaving with a shopping bag. Or two. Definitely some of the best prices on trendy shoes and bags in the city.

What do you think of my frugal find, lambs?

Tori! Tori! Tori!

2009-06-21T22:40:00.001-04:00

Psst. I have a confession to make. Tori Spelling's reality show "Tori & Dean Home Sweet Hollywood" is like a big bowl of ice cream with caramel and sprinkles, and a cherry on top. Sheer deliciousness.

So after watching an episode where she debuts her jewelry line on HSN and learning that the pint-sized queen of fierceness, Christian Siriano (sorry Tyra) used pieces in his New York Fashion Week show, I just had to click on over to HSN.com for a little look see.

And I have to say, "Charge it!" According to the show's edit monkeys, Donna Martin herself had a well manicured hand in the designs but when the pieces are so cute -- and affordable -- all I want to know is, "how much?"

Think chunky, bold and modern with a bit of a boho vibe. And they look way more expensive than the price tag would suggest. Like something that your grandma would hand down to her favorite grandchild, not a mass-produced trinket. This is the jewelry line Nicole Richie wishes she had made. Oh, yes I did, honey.

The prices for Tori's line start at just $19.95 and go up to $89.95, but most hover somewhere in the $50-ish range. There's a clearance going on right now so you can snap up pieces for even less; between $20 and $30.

Check out my ab fab favorites from the collection:

Pretty cute, right? Would you wear pieces from her line? Is it weird that I want to call-in the next time Tori is on HSN? Too fan girl?