Must See

If you are a fan of fashion and more importantly Vogue magazine you will be as excited as I am to see the new documentary “The September Issue” coming out, surprisingly,  this September. “The September Issue” is a behind the scene peek at what went into the making of Vogue’s September 2007 issue, the biggest issue Vogue has ever created, weighing in at five pounds of nothing but fashion. With unprecedented access, this film tells the story of legendary Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and her larger-than-life team of editors creating the issue and ruling the world of fashion. The following trailer will leave you wanting more.

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Lilly vs Tory

I was working on a fashion article for a local magazine where we featured two outfits by Lilly Pulitzer and as I was perusing the line choosing the outfits, it dawned on me how similar Lilly Pulitzer is to Tory Burch. Albeit Tory Burch has a more contemporary modern look but I couldn’t help noticing the many similarities between the two lines.

Both lines were created by socialites, Lilly’s came about when she asked her seamstress to make her a simple shift dress out of bright, colorful, printed cotton to hide fruit juice stains she got while working in her fruit juice stand. It wasn’t long before she started selling more dresses than juice and the clothing company Lilly Pulitzer was born. Tory Burch started her clothing line after working PR at various fashion houses (Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang) and feeling the need to create a line of everyday, classy basics that filled in the holes in her couture wardrobe.

Both lines err on the side of preppy, Lilly Pulitzer is the epitome of Palm Beach chic and Tory Burch is considered preppy boho. Prints are a major focus and selling point for each line and each season fans eagerly await the new prints. Both lines revolve around basic, simple silhouettes that are given depth and texture from their prints and embellishments like lace, beading, sequins and trim. Colors play a major role in each line, Lilly Pulitzer’s signature colors are pink and green and Tory Burch’s signature colors are orange and navy. Both lines make very wearable items that seem to be timeless, transcending trends while also looking incredibly chic.

To shop both lines check out www.lillypulitzer.com and www.toryburch.com.

Lilly Pulitzer

Tory Burch

Accessible Style

It looks like celebrity stylist extraordinaire Rachel Zoe is working on designing a clothing line for us non-celebrities. According to www.people.com she is working on a clothing line that is 100% accessible to everyday gals and plans for the line to include jewelry, handbags, clothing and fragrances. Rachel Zoe is famous for dressing celebrities like Nicole Richie, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner and Cameron Diaz as well as her crazy antics on her show The Rachel Zoe Project. Let’s just hope her clothes come in sizes bigger than double zero, zero and two!

Faking It

Let’s just admit it-there are certain days when you just don’t feel like putting a lot of thought into your outfit for whatever reason, you are having a fat day or you just want to be comfy or whatever, but there are 4 must have accessories that can add a bit of style and class to any outfit whether is is from Neiman’s or Target. I think it is important to invest in a few high end accessories that are timeless and will never go out of style but up the fashion quotient of any outfit.

My never fail, dress up any outfit must haves are a Burberry Scarf, Designer Sunglasses (Prada and Chanel are my faves), a Louis Vuitton Speedy handbag and a nice piece of jewelry (pearl necklace, diamond stud earrings or a nice watch). Throw any one (or all of the above) on with a black tee from Target, jeans and sneakers and you will instantly look chic, even though your outfit is lacking any real style. The above items scream good taste and high end status and thus rub off on whatever else you are wearing. 

Burberry Scarf: The trademark Burberry plaid has been a symbol of British luxury since it first appeared on the lining of a trench coat in 1924 and when used in the form of a scarf it adds a dash of style to any look. Available at www.burberryusaonline.com.

Designer Sunglasses are a relatively inexpensive way to jazz up your look and there are so many great styles to choose from. Check out www.neimanmarcus.com for a great selection.

Louis Vuitton Speedy is the perfect purse, roomy, versatile and the signature monogram canvas is an instantly recognized symbol of chic. Available at www.eluxury.com.

A pearl necklace, diamond stud earrings (real or faux) and a nice watch are simple and elegant and lend these qualities to the rest of your outfit.

Cheer Me Up

Grab a pen and paper and copy down this sure fire trick for erasing the winter doldrums that tend to roll around this time of year. My sure fire trick that will cheer you up in a flash is, buy yourself a pair of earrings! Trust me it works wonders!

The other day I was at work (boring), hating what I wore that day (tired of wearing winter clothes), fighting a cold (crappy) and looking out the window at a another gray, cold and blustery day (yuck). I was in desperate need of a pick me up and instead of reaching for another Dove chocolate heart I decided to log on to Viv and Ingrid’s website and buy myself a sparkly bauble. Shopping is such a wonderful cheering aphrodisiac and with a few clicks of my mouse, my usual smile was back in place. The same cheerful sensation came again a few days later when I saw a little brown box on my doorstep containing a gorgeous, shimmery pair of ombre swarovski crystal wrapped hoop earrings. The picture on the website does not come close to doing these earrings justice, they are beyond beautiful and perfect for adding a little oomph to your winter wardrobe. Go ahead spend yourself a little happy! Ombre Wrap Hoops available at www.vivandingrid.com.

Soften Up

As cold winter winds blow outside and warm dry air blows inside, it is hard to keep your lips soft and kissable. When my lips start to get chapped I have always reached for my trusty black and white tube of ChapStick, plain and simple it always seems to do the trick.

But when the soft skin experts at Nivea added A Kiss of Moisture Lip Care to their line of skin savers I was intrigued enough to brave the cold and head to my local drugstore to buy a tube. Needless to say I was quite delighted as I swiped it across my lips. It is smooth and creamy without being sticky and instantly absorbed into my lips leaving them soft, smooth and moisturized. It is enriched with Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter to provide long lasting moisture as well as provide protection from the sun. It is definitely worth a try, your lips will thank you as well as your honey! Kiss and Be Kissed! Available at your local grocery or drugstore and online at www.drugstore.com and www.walgreens.com.

Style Icon

Alright ladies, we have a new style icon and no she is not a celebrity, she is First Lady Michelle Obama. She has shown with her choice of wardrobe that she is a true style icon and I look forward to drawing inspiration from all her fashion choices.

Her day outfit of lemongrass yellow designed by Isabel Toledo was bright, cheerful and elegant, perfectly exemplifying the mood of the nation. I loved the green gloves and shoes (Glacier pumps by Jimmy Choo), very chic. You can read more about Isabel Toledo by clicking here.

The dress by Jason Wu she chose to wear to the Inaugural Balls is stunning! The one shoulder strap is very fashion forward and the soft cream color is striking and the beading is feminine. Truly a dress dreams are made of! You can check out Jason Wu’s website at http://www.jasonwustudio.com and you can view his Spring 2009 runway show by clicking here.

Louvre Me Louvre Me Not

Purple is one of the hottest colors for fall but if you feel a bit like Barney when you wear purple, try wearing a rich, dark plummy grape shade on your nails. You get a pop of purple without wearing it from head to toe and dark nail polish is in style again for fall. One of my favorite purple shades is Louvre Me Louvre Me Not from OPI’s La Collection de France, it is a deep, dark, sensuous grape. It will “exhibit” your sense of style!

Tips to keep in mind when wearing dark nail polish: keep your nails short and well shaped, tend to your cuticles, apply a base coat to keep the dark polish from staining your nails and apply a super shiny top coat to make your dark nails glisten.

OPI is available at most local nail salons and beauty stores like Ulta and Beauty Brands.

The British Are Coming

I have always loved all things British; Hugh Grant, Jude Law, Colin Firth, fish and chips, Harrods, Burberry, English riding, JK Rowling and I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (both dog breeds of British descent and favored among British Royalty). The British have a unique sense of humor as well as an innovative, forward thinking, colorful and quirky design aesthetic, which makes London Fashion Week one of my favorites to see each season.

New York Fashion Week tends to be more commercial, Paris Fashion Week is more venerable and serious and Milan Fashion Week is full of glamour and sex appeal but it is London Fashion Week that reminds me that fashion is fun and not meant to be taken so seriously, it is fashion in its highest form of pure creative art. Do yourself a favor and head over to New York Magazine’s website and view some of the collections, it will brighten your day!

Some of my favorite looks from London Fashion Week:

Luella Bartley

House of Holland

Temperley London

Jenny Packham

A Pic of a Corgi Puppy:

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy

Fall Forward

Getting dressed this time of year can be a bit tricky, fall is on the horizon but in many places the weather is still too warm to start wearing all the hallmarks of fall, cozy sweaters, chic tights, knee high boots and slim cords. So what is a girl to do, how to look in season and in style without sweating? Here a few fool proof tips that will keep you looking great and feeling comfortable while gently propelling you into fall.

First things first, Labor Day has come and gone, so cover your white pants, jeans and skirts with plastic and box up your white shoes and purses and hang them in the back of your closet. There a few rules in fashion, anything usually goes, but the one hard and fast rule I always obey is no white after Labor Day. Next go through your spring/summer clothes and pull out anything made of linen or sheer gauzy fabric and pack up for next year, gauzy fabrics are just too whimsical for September.

Switch out your tank tops with short sleeve and 3/4 length sleeve tees and start wearing your long sleeve button up tops with the sleeves rolled up. Keep from wearing sweet and summery florals as well as colors that scream summer like lime green, bright pink, turquoise and yellow (unless you pair these bright colors with dark rich shades like black, charcoal or espresso). Start adding rich fall colors like pumpkin, loden, chocolate, eggplant, burgundy and pewter to your basic black and tan summer slacks and capris. Gap has a great selection of their favorite fit tees in the perfect shades for fall. On cooler days throw on your fall tweed, cord or velvet jackets with a fitted tee and capris. Cardigans are huge for fall and can easily be worn layered over sleeveless dresses or tanks on cool days.

As far as shoes go, it is probably too early to wear knee high boots but it is time to put the flip flops away (I know, I know, I hate to do it too, I love my flip flops but all good things come to an end). Switch your summery, strappy heels with more solid looking peep toes and in place of gladiator sandals and flip flops wear cute printed flats. Pack up your platform espadrilles. J.Crew has a great selection of cute flats perfect for buy now, wear now. Remember if anything looks too summery, it probably is!

Gap tees in fall shades:

Gorgeous transition looks from J. Crew