Mirror, mirror on the wall

(Rojas dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim military jacket, UO lattice boots, vintage Chanel bag, Iosselliani necklace, Alice + Olivia cuff)

Okay, so I'm still not over the military jacket trend. Not only did I wear my favorite 3.1 Phillip Lim jacket over the weekend, but I bought another by Whitley Kros at a stylist's sample sale (army green with large gold buttons)! Thankfully, it seems the trend is here for another season and as the weather cools down, I'll be wearing both often.

Thank you so much to all my lovely blogger friends who have presented me with some very sweet awards! I have not forgotten about them. I've gotten so swamped lately, but I'll get to them as soon as possible!

Military March

(Phillip Lim cadet jacket, Zara dress, Silence + Noise leggings, Jeffrey Campbell platforms)

Like any frequent shopper, I love hunting down the best bargains and scoring a good deal. But sometimes, there are those special, one of a kind pieces that speak to you (yes, clothes do speak to me...I sometimes imagine them jumping off their hangers, crying, "Buy me! I belong to you! Wear me, love me!"). And when that happens, it's so hard to say no. This cadet jacket was indeed a hefty splurge for me, but everytime I wear it, I break into a smile and do a little jig. That's how I know it was worth every hard-earned penny!

On deck

(Phillip Lim cadet jacket, DVF blouse, A|X jeans, John Fluevog shoes)

It was tough work indulging in the endless parade of food and fun activities onboard the cruise ship, but someone had to do it! I had a good time on the mini cruise for work and spent the first evening walking around on deck in my new favorite Phillip Lim jacket. I had agonized over this purchase for weeks but finally gave in. I find everything about it irresistable, from the bright red color to the military-style asymmetrical panels down the front. 

Since purchasing the jacket, I've spotted it in several fashion magazines, which has given me inspiration for new ways to wear it--over a white summery dress, with black leggings and boots, paired with gray trousers and shiny black oxfords. The jacket makes such a loud statement on its own that I need to pair it with simple pieces. If you've any ideas for new ways of working it into an outfit, I'd love to hear them!

An early Christmas present

Hurray! After coveting it for several weeks, I am now the proud owner of this 3.1 Phillip Lim belted equestrian vest! It was given to me as an early Christmas present and I'm simply over the moon about it. This classic piece that will never go out of style is made of the most thick, high-quality wool blend. The vest cinches in your waist and is flattering on nearly every figure. So far, I've experimented wearing it with cigarette jeans and a tight skirt, and the outfits have always turned out super chic. I have a feeling I'll be rocking this vest for a very, very long time!

Phillip Lim's Cadet jacket

The other day, I was browsing through the sale racks at BCBG and found a beautiful gray jacket with ruffles down the front and fell in love almost instantly. It was painful to walk away because even though it was on sale, it was still a tad too much. In an attempt to make myself feel better, the next day I browsed my favorite online stores to look for a jacket that I'd like even better. That's when I found the 3.1 Phillip Lim Cadet jacket, which clocks in at an impressive $595. First of all, it's in my fave color red. I love the military-style buttons, asymmetrical gray ribbon panels down the front, and 3/4 quarter length leg-o-mutton sleeves. It's super chic and I'm completely crazy about it! For the past two weeks, I've been pondering whether or not it's worth the hefty price tag. I'll be monitoring it closely and crossing my fingers that it'll go on sale soon!

Fall trend: a gold skirt

A skirt like this one by Sari Gueron is a great investment for the fall. During the hot summer months, I'll wear it with a simple tank top and a large, bejeweled statement necklace. But when the cold weather starts, I'm planning on tucking a plain black sweater into the skirt and pairing the outfit with strappy gladiator heels (shown on model). Of course, this Sari Gueron creation is a luxurious, double-layered confection of gold silk lame, with a ruched waist, peek-a-boo hem, and glorious crinkles and pleats in the fabric. But at a whopping $875, you might want to invest in this far more affordable Forever 21 version of the gold skirt, or this pretty 3.1 Phillip Lim design with floral print. Either way, a gold skirt will carry over nicely into fall, conveying a hint of the glamourous 1920s flapper trend seen on the fall runways.

On Sale: Audrina's 3.1 Phillip Lim Dress

One of my favorite outfits from The Hills' Audrina Patridge is this 3.1 Phillip Lim dress she wore to the Cloverfield premiere back in January (appropriately, the color of the dress is called clover). I first spotted it at a Neiman Marcus store in Las Vegas, tried it on, and loved it--just not the price tag ($595.00)! The swingy fit is comfortable, yet the adorable rose appliques and vivid green color are dressy enough for a formal event. Shop Zoe is offering the dress on sale for $416.00 now, if you're interested in snagging Audrina's style!

(Credit to Getty Images)

Headbands Heaven

For fall/winter 2007, I've noticed one emerging trend, and it's headbands. I remember wearing them often as an elementary school kid, and I'm happy they're appearing on the fashion radar again. The most current and stylish headbands now are not the painful, thin, plastic ones I wore in school. Today's headbands are often elaborately patterned and embellished...and rather expensive. But if you're willing to shell out big bucks for a hair accessory, then check out headbands by Stacey Lapidus or 3.1 Phillip Lim, two brands that make some of the most outstanding headbands I've seen thus far. Bonus: Stacey Lapidus is offering free shipping for the holidays until 1/1/2008. These extravagant headbands might make a great stocking stuffer for the ultimate fashionista.

3.1 Phillip Lim Silk Organza Headband with beetle appliqué, $135

3.1 Phillip Lim Pleated Star Headband with Swarovski crystals, $275

Stacey Lapidus Silk and Crystal Headband, $120

Stacey Lapidus Crystal & Chain Silk
Headband with Bow, $90

Stacey Lapidus Killer Headband, $130

Tasha Jewel Metallic Silk Headband, $64.90

Cara Accessories Veil Wrap with Silk Flower, $58

Stacey Lapidus Silk & Crystal Braided Headband, $100

On the other end of the spectrum, Forever 21 offers super affordable headbands that are just as stylish. I love the idea of wearing a huge, floppy bow in your hair. It's a classy look perfect for fall/winter and a great accessory to pair with your holiday outfits!

Forever 21 Ashley Headband, $2.80

Forever 21 Petite Bow Headband, $2.80