Currently Loving: Trendy Neon

I've never been one to wear much color, but with neon being one of the biggest trends of 2012, I thought it'd be fun to round up some of my favorite brightly colored accessories.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 a, b / 13 / 14 / 15 a, b / 16

Valentine's Day Gifts for Her

The effervescent shades of red and pink this time of year tend to work their cheerily sweet magic on me no matter how hard I try to resist. To be honest, I have never taken Valentine's Day too seriously, but I do like the idea of giving someone close to me a note to tell them how much they're appreciated and loved. However, since the stores are chock-full of cute gifts this time of year, I couldn't help but putting together a set of fun things that might make someone smile this holiday. Here are some of my favorite things:



1. Philosophy Kiss Me lip cream 2. Stila lip glaze here & here 3. C.Wonder bangle 4. Hunter wellies 5. Rebecca Minkoff wallet 6.ban.do shoe clips 7. kate spade ny sunnies 8. kate spade ny ring 9. Michael Kors fabulotion 10. Rifle Paper Co. postcards 11. little pink book of addresses 12. Topshop scarf 13. J.Crew tote 14. Sugar Paper card 15. pop phone handset 16. kate spade ny earrings 17. Sugar Paper chocolate bar 18. Caitlin Wilson coral tall pillow 19. Rifle Paper Co. card 20. Felix Rey clutch 21. Marc Jacobs earrings 22. ban.do mini hearts

Currently Loving: Chambray Shirts + Sequin Skirts

I remember seeing Alexa Chung in Vogue UK a few years back wearing a chambray shirt paired with a sequin skirt and instantly falling in love with the look. A skirt of such bold and sparkly nature can be difficult to dress, but a simple, solid, no-fuss chambray shirt seems to do just the trick. Here are some chambray shirt + sequin skirt combos I'm currently loving:

1 / 2 / 3a - 3b / 4

:: Get the look ::

Chambray Shirt
- I really love this shrunken chambray boy shirt by Madewell. It's the perfect fit and is so versatile- wear it with skirts, solid colored pants, linen shorts, etc.
- Two more chambray shirts by Madewell that are perfect for pairing with sequin skirts: this one in a darker wash and this one in a lighter wash.

Sequin Skirt
- This French Connection two-tone sequin skirt is most like Blake Lively's above and is perfect for day or night.
- I'm dying over this Vince sequin skirt in antique gold. It's a bit pricey, but timeless.

Scarf Affinity

I've always had an affinity towards scarves. Whether they're silk, wool, cotton, or linen, worn in the frozen temps of winter or the scorching days of summer, I love their versatility and outfit-boosting qualities. My Mom gave me a box of her silk scarves (circa her 1980s working days at Intel) a few months before she passed, and I love that 30 years later they're still in style. I tend to use them mostly on handbags or as belts, but after seeing these photos I think I may need to incorporate them more so with outfits. Here are some of my favorite looks:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

PS. My internal grammatical nag reared its ugly head while I was writing this post, specifically honing in on my use of scarves, causing me an abundance of self doubt and wondering if scarfs was in fact the proper spelling. However, it seems that the two can be used interchangeably, if dictionary.com is to be trusted :)

Blue Dress Help

photo originally found here

I recently pinned this photo on Pinterest and have since had tons of emails asking me where to find this gorgeous blue dress. I tried for a better half of the day to find the original designer, but with no luck. If you know where this dress is from, or have seen one of a similar style, do you mind leaving it in the comments below?

*Update* Thank you Natalie and Royar for finding the dress here! It is sadly sold out, but maybe contact Queen's Wardrobe for further help in tracking one down.

Frame Affection

I've always had the desire to don reading glasses despite my vision's unequivocal stance of not needing the assistance. I don't know what it is about a classic, structured eyeglasses, but just the thought of wearing a prominent pair seems to immediately launch a studious, more defined presence, which is intriguing to me in some way. Here are some of my favorite frames that I wish I could file under necessity to accompany my everyday wear:

kate spade ny ad - 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Currently Loving: Glitzy Flats

As much as I'm obsessed with high heels, I rarely wear them. While they're a joy to look at and I covet the ones I have, I find myself praying to the fashion gods for relief after an hour of wearing them, which is why I find myself most days on the complete opposite end of the shoe spectrum: flats. They're comfortable, easy to slip on, and don't require a plethora of band-aids to save my feet. Because flats are understated in comparison to heels, I love pairs adorned with sequins, covered in prints, embellished with jewels, and any other component of pizazz that will bring the shoe to life. Here are a few pairs I'm currently loving:

1. Nine West luminarie 2. Giuseppe Zanotti spike cap toe 3. Jimmy Choo glitter cap toe 4. kate spade ny noelle flat 5. Sgt. Pepper 6. Sam Edelman blaine flat 7. Vera Wang lucie flat 8. Vera Wang jeweled peep toe 9. Bourne robyn flat 10. Bourne britt peep toe 11. Steve Madden i-dentfy 12. Nine West lemon flat

Cyber Monday Fashion Deals - Bloomingdales, Rachel Roy, Elie Tahari + more

Black Friday is not for the faint of heart. It entails endurance, determination, and focus (a bit of maniacal instinct doesn't hurt, either) all of which I can't seem to muster up for a shopping experience which takes place at hours that should never be seen on a clock. With that said, I do go weak at the knees for a good deal, which is why Cyber Monday is right up my alley. Here are a few of my favorite 2011 Cyber Monday Deals:

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Elle, Country Living, Cosmo, etc. via LivingSocial - $5 for 1 year subscription **Best Deal**

Bloomingdales - $50 off $250 or more + free shipping - Use code: FREESHIP1

French Connection - Up to 40% Off + free shipping on orders of $125 - Use code: FCBFFS

7 For All Mankind - Extra 40% OFF Sale Items. Use code: CMONDAY4011

Click below for more deals- including Rachel Roy, Elie Tahari, Juicy Couture + more

(please link back if reposting)

BlueFly via LivingSocial - $25 for $50 to spend on BlueFly

Gilt Groupe - Cyber Monday Madness every 3 hours - $5.95 shipping all day

Cole Haan via Rue La La - Up to 50% OFF Womens, Mens, and accessories.

Elie Tahari via Rue La La - Up to 60% OFF Womens and Mens. (The Kearney gold sequin dress is gorge)

Juicy Couture - 30% OFF entire site all day.

Rachel Roy - 40% OFF Rachel Rachel Roy and 20% OFF Rachel Roy today only.

J.Crew - 25% OFF + free shipping today only. Use code: SURPRISE (Thank you, Viv!)

Piperlime - 20% OFF today only. Use code: HUGECYBER

Banana Republic - 30% OFF today only. Use code: HUGECYBER

2011 Black Friday Deals - Target, Best Buy, Macys

Another holiday season filled with family, friends, good food, laughs, and memories-to-be-made is among us, which can only mean one thing: Black Friday is on the horizon. While I prefer my shopping outings to be more of the leisurely sort, I completely understand the desire to hit the stores before the sun rises, as finding a good deal is nothing short of Super Bowl victory status in my book. I took some time last night to scour through the 2011 Black Friday ads for Target, Best Buy, and Macys, and wanted to share my favorite deals with you.

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Click below for my favorite 2011 Black Friday Deals. (Full page ads linked via prices)

(please link back if re-posting)

Target
doors open 12am fri. november 25th

Book lovers: Amazon Kindle $85
Music: Buy 8GB Apple iPod Nano $129 and get $15 Target gift card FREE
Gamers: Games for Wii, Nintendo 3DS, XBox 360 etc. $5 - $27/each
Movie watchers: DVDs $1.99 - $5.99 Blu-Rays $7.99
Travelers: 5-piece Luggage Set $39
Kitchen: Buy Mr. Coffee by Keurig brewer $79 and get $30 Target gift card FREE
Home Decor: 10-piece Picture Frame Set $12

Best Buy
doors open 12am fri. november 25th

Apple fans: Save $60-$200 on MacBook Pro and iMac computers + Apple iPad 2 on SALE + $100 iTunes gift card for only $80
TVs: Dynex 24" LCD 1080p HDTV $79 - 46" Insignia LCD 1080p HDTV $499
Appliances: LG Front Load Washer & Dryer $549/ea.
Appliances: Whirpool Stainless Kitchen Bundle: Refrigerator, Over-the-Range Microwave, Electirc Range/Oven, Dishwasher $1699
Movie Watchers: DVDs $0.99 Blu-Rays $4.99
Gamers: XBOX-360 Console Bundle $199

Macys
shop midnight - 1pm fri. november 25th and 7a - 1pm sat. november 26th

Kitchen: Bella Coffee Maker, Black & Decker Waffle Maker + more $9.99 (after rebate)
Kitchen: KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer $179
Home: Twin Sheet Sets $5.99 - Queen Sheet Sets $29
Holiday Decor: 7.5 ft Christmas tree w/ clear lights $99
Fashion: Cashmere Sweaters $39

For all the 2011 Black Friday ads, click here.

Clutch Bags

Confession: for years I've scoffed at clutch bags solely due to their size. Being that I prefer to keep everything except the kitchen sink in my bag, the possibility of a relationship between myself and the miniature, hand held accessory was dim, at best. Fast forward a few years and I'm here to say I was wrong; completely and utterly wrong. They're no fuss, convenient, easy to secure under your arm during obligatory handshaking and mingling at events, and best of all they have just enough room for the essentials. Needless to say, clutch bags and I have many years of catching up to do. Here are a few I'm loving:
1. Anthropologie polka rounds clutch 2. J.Crew invitation clutch 3. Marc Jacobs classic q karlie 4. Michael Kors jet set berkley clutch 5. Ashely M. wooden clutch <-- BEST BUY! Only $30! 6. Rebecca Minkoff mac clutch 7. Kate Spade sparkler missy mini clutch 8. Miu Miu nappa leather clutch

Gossip Girl by Romeo + Juliet Couture

Last Thursday a few Los Angeles bloggers and myself attended the launch party for the the new line Gossip Girl by Romeo + Juliet Couture at the Writer's Room in Hollywood and it was so much fun. Gossip Girl has been a part of my Monday night routine since the day it premiered (seriously, I don't go anywhere on Monday's at 8pm when it airs unless it's an emergency!) so I was ecstatic seeing this collection. The line features everything you would see Serena, Blair, and others wearing, including tops, leggings, dresses, handbags and more. Thank you to Romeo + Juliet Couture for the tops and a fabulous event. Here are some of my favorite pieces from the collection:

How gorgeous are these pieces?! You can shop this collection at Kitson LA here.

Be sure to tune in to Gossip Girl on Monday night's at 8/7c for even more stunning fashion!

GG links I love: Facebook - Twitter: @CW_Network (Seriously- if you love GG, Vampire Diaries, Hart of Dixie, etc. follow them! Fun tweets, photos, clips, etc!)

*This was not a compensated post, nor was my time at the event. Everything expressed is personal opinion only.

Watch Love

Over the years I've become increasingly obsessed with watches. With their meticulous structure, fine detail and beautiful hardware, watches are one of the few accessories that I can wear everyday, no matter the outfit or occasion. Here are a few I'm currently loving:

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs 2. Bulova 3. Breil Milano 4. Michael Kors 5. Michael Kors 6. Nine West

Happy Halloween! Be safe :)

The Sweetest of Collections

Sometimes it's the simplest of collections that seem to catch my eye the most. When I first cam across designer Whitney Deal's dresses, I was taken back their mix of sweet simplicity, fine detail, and seemingly comfortable wear, the latter of which a rare but welcomed feat in the world of fashion. These three looks are my favorite:

dresses 1 - 2 - 3

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Sachin + Babi Collection Preview at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills

This morning I attended a preview event at Neiman Marcus for Sachin + Babi's upcoming collections and it was so much fun. The fabulous pr team at Neiman's greeted visitors on the third floor and then we were able to look at the clothes, pull the looks from the racks, and talk with Babi about her newest pieces. The collection boasts glistening sequins, beautiful hues of navy, creams, and a few vibrant colors, and can easily be taken from day to night with a quick swap of shoes, jacket and accessories. I asked Babi where she derives inspiration for new designs and she explained that it comes from a variety of places: books, movies, travels, hobbies, and everything in between. A few of my favorite pieces among the racks were the Gracie Combo Coat, Margo Leather Accent Pencil Skirt, the Marilyn Combo Dress (seen on model below left), and the Silk Chiffon Sequin dress (seen on model below right) just to name a few.

Babi looked stunning. She was is in Sachin + Babi's Sequined Fleece Sweater and the Margot Leather Pencil Skirt. Oh, and she had the cutest shoes on! Wish I had a pic of those.

To see more of Sachin + Babi's collection (including jewelry), go here, here, or here.

Thank you to Neiman Marcus and Sachin + Babi for including Brunch at Saks at your event. Looking forward to your newest collection!

*This is not a compensated post, nor was my time spent at the event.

Pastel Love

I've posted about my love for all pieces nude/blush/cream before, but since my obsession with this wide ranged palette has yet to waiver, I thought I'd gather a few more pieces that are suitable for the cooler months ahead. I'll be pairing these tones with dark denim, brown boots, and occasionally, when LA decides to grace us with winter like weather, my favorite navy pea coat.
1. Eleven Paris sober sweater 2. Tibi cable-knit sweater 3. Cacharel rolled collar sweater 4. Topshop pointelle sweater 5. Old Navy crew neck sweater 6. Schumacher charmed cardigan 7. Reed Krakoff ballet flat 8. Reed Krakoff ballet flat 9. Dollhouse ballet flat 10. Paula Bianco chunky knit wrap scarf 11. Marc by Marc Jacobs anniversary pear pendant 12. Marc by Marc Jacobs anniversary apple pendant 13. Gorjana studded wrap bracelet 14. Reed Krakoff leather clutch 15. BCBGMAXAZRIA metal mesh clutch

Currently Loving...

- Kate Winslet on the cover of Harper's Bazaar UK November 2011 issue. She can do no wrong in my book.
- Chanel nail polish and it's gorgeous array of hues. In my rotation for fall: Black Satin and Vendetta.
- Anything, everything cheetah and/or leopard (confession: I cannot distinguish between the two). Currently lusting over these Giuseppe Zanotti pointed toe pumps.

photos 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 -

Happy weekend to you :)

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Closet Essential: Nude Heels

While I tend not to discriminate amongst any type of shoe, I do find that a nude heel seems to be the best choice for me in terms of everyday wear. They're perfectly inconspicuous yet pronounced, appropriate in most environments, and outrageously versatile when it comes to complimenting the look of an outfit. I recently needed a new pair of nude pumps for an event, and with little time and a strict budget, I ran into Target and found the Mossimo pair (number 9) below. So far I've worn them with a printed pencil skirt, black slacks, and dark denim jeans, and have yet to be disappointed. Here are a few other nude heels I'm loving, priced from high to low.

1. Tabitha Simmons satin-fringe pump $995 2. Christian Louboutin 'Altadama 100' pumps $636 3. Jimmy Choo 'Lovely' pumps $377 4. DVF 'Plateau' sandals $192 5. Stuart Weitzman 'Daisy' pumps $165 6. Michael Kors 'York' pumps $120 7. ASOS 'Mary Jane' heel $82 8. Chinese Laundry 'Whistle' pumps $70 9. Mossimo 'Versie' heels $30

original photos above 1 - 2

Hart of Dixie Fashion Event - Rachel Bilson & costume designer Meredith Pollack talk fashion

- photos by Brunch at Saks -

Last night a few LA bloggers and myself attended an event at Warner Bros. studios which introduced the fashion and accessories that will be seen on Rachel Bilson and Jaime King's new show, Hart of Dixie, premiering Monday, Sept. 26th on the CW. The event was a small gathering and took place on a sound stage used to film the show's bar scenes, which I thought was really cool. The set was decked out with racks of gorgeous clothes, jewelry, shoes, and handbags on either end; one side was the wardrobe of city-girl Zoe (Rachel), and the other side of country girl Lemon's (Jaime). The night began with Hart of Dixie's costume designer, Meredith Pollack, and Rachel sitting down for a Q&A session, where they discussed everything from the meaning behind the wardrobes to where Rachel personally likes to shop. Here are a few fun tidbits I took away from the Q&A:

- Meredith gathers clothes and accessories for the actors from a variety of places, including vintage shops in LA, like Polka Dot & Moonbeams, as well as mainstream stores like J.Crew.
- Since Rachel spends most of her time on set filming, she is a huge fan of online shopping. Net-A-Porter and Piperlime are among her favorites.
- Meredith likes to mix both high and low -end pieces, and shops for deals on sites like Gilt Group.
- Rachel is similar to her character Zoe in terms of style, although she does like to mix in vintage pieces to her everyday wear, like long long dresses and sweaters.
- Rachel mentioned she just bought a ton of chunky sweaters online for fall, as she loves layering clothes this time of year.
-Towards the end Rachel reversed the Q&A and asked all of us if we had bought anything from the Missoni for Target collection last week. She said out of everything, she really wanted one of the Missoni pieces of luggage, which surprised me!

-Rachel & Meredith talk Hart of Dixie fashion, accessories, and shoes during the Q&A -

- jewelry worn by Lemon (Jaime King). J.Crew baubles, pearls, etc. -

- Valentino lace and stud open-toe pumps worn by Zoe (Rachel Bilson) -

- Rachel & me -

Thank you to the CW and Hart of Dixie for including Brunch at Saks in your event. And it was so nice meeting you Annabel Manners, Join the Gossip, and Nautical by Nature!

*This is not a compensated post, nor was my attendance at the event. Everything expressed is personal opinion only.

Click below for more photos

- kate spade ny 'Charm' heels worn by Lemon. noticing a difference in Zoe and Lemon's wardrobe yet?! -

Cuffed Leather Gloves for Fall

There is something so edgy yet chic about cuffed leather gloves that I completely love. They're light, comfortable, and easy to wear, too; three things that make a great accessory in my book. After seeing the Valentino leopard print gloves below (number four), I became completely obsessed and searched the internet high and low for all gloves of the sort. Here are some of my favorite finds:

1. Portolano 2. Imoni 3. Agent Provocateur 4. Valentino 5. Zara 6. Michael Kors 7. River Island 8. MICHAEL Michael Kors 9. MICHAEL Michael Kors


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Emmys 2011 - Red Carpet Dresses - Best Dressed - Gwyneth Paltrow, Lea Michele, Kate Winslet, Nina Dobrev, Minka Kelly + more

The stars were out in full force tonight at the 2011 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, wearing the likes of Donna Karan, Pucci, and Armani Prive, among many other gorgeous designers. If I had to sum up the red carpet in one word it would be...RED! Lea Michele, Nina Dobev, Kate Winslet, and Sofia Vergara were all stunning in the hue, as were many others. Overall it seemed to be a more conservative carpet this year; everyone was polished and none of the dresses were really outrageous or over-the-top.

Lea Michele of Glee in Marchesa:

Gwyneth Paltrow in Pucci:

Nina Dobrev of Vampire Diaries in Donna Karan:

Kate Winslet:

Minka Kelly in Dior:
photos 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

Click below for more photos, including Emily Blunt, Heather Morris, Cat Deely, Christina Hendricks, Julia Stiles + more.

Emily Blunt in Elie Saab:
Heather Morris of Glee:
Cat Deeley of So You Think You Can Dance in Monique Lhuillier:

Christina Hendricks of Mad Men in Johanna Johansson:

Julia Stiles in Georges Hobeika Couture:

Jennifer Carpenter of Dexter:

Cobie Smulders of How I Met Your Mother in Alberta Ferretti:

6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12

Who would you vote best dressed?

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