BR's improved fall collection

I'm so glad to see Banana Republic stepping it up, because for the past few seasons, I haven't liked their collections. But now that I've seen this printed silk top, I'm going to have to head to the nearest BR and snap it up stat! The subtle graphic print and soft ruffles at the neck are worthy of wearing to work, perhaps layered underneath one of the many gorgeous fall blazers out there. And yet it's a totally feminine, going-out piece that bares your shoulders and shows off your neck. I'm totally applauding BR for putting pretty, elegant twists to their usual basics!

Out & About: Flat-out fabulous

Who: Model Jessica Stam

What: Dior Beauty's cocktail party celebrating Tinsley Mortimer's cameo on Gossip Girl

Where: Empire Hotel Rooftop in New York City

Wearing: A pastel-colored minidress, a shrunken biker jacket, gold bracelets, and black flats

When: September 3, 2008


I'm digging her look. How many supermodels would wear flat shoes to a swanky cocktail soiree? She's also working a very feminine-masculine look with the silk dress and tough black jacket.

(Photo Credit to JustJared.Com)

Loving LaROK's LBD

So even though I was highly anticipating wearing that lovely red Larsen Gray dress to my bday party, when I eventually tried it on at the brand new Revolve boutique in West Hollywood, the fit just wasn't right. While perusing my alternatives, I came across this lil black dress by LaROK which looks so much better on than I ever would have imagined! In textured woven fabric, the sweetheart neckline dips into a sexy V framed by metal chain fringes. The back of the dress scoops low and is also decorated with the stylin' rock-n-roll fringes. And the biggest plus is the great fit: LaROK's streamlined LBD nips in at my waist and hugs the hips for the perfect party dress! Dressed up with the right heels and accessories, I feel like this dress is trendy with a rocker edge and proves that the old adage holds true: you can always fall back on a little black dress for any occasion.

Something fishy

I was browsing the jewelry offerings at the Intermix store on Robertson Boulevard last weekend and saw these quirky Elizabeth Cole fish bone earrings on display. The Swarovski crystal fish head and tail is dazzling, while the fish bones are made of a 24-karat gold-plated Cuban link chain. I rarely buy jewelry that doesn't make a statement and at four inches long, this pair fulfills my requirement for big statement earrings, yet are so whimsical and fun at the same time. Elizabeth Cole makes some other amazing pieces that I'd be proud to own, such as these key charm earrings and this gorgeous gold buckle ring.

Relating to Rachel

Rachel Zoe's new docudrama, The Rachel Zoe Project, premieres next week and I must say that I'm looking forward to seeing the day-to-day life of a celeb stylist. One of my favorite clients of hers is Nicole Richie--even though apparently they aren't on good terms anymore. I love how Rach helped transform Nicole's fashion sense, and since then, Nicole has seemed to embrace her own style vision and created a signature look. I know there are some anti-or-ambivalent-Zoe fans, but reading some of her quotes made me more partial to her because I can totally relate! For example, my crammed closet is near its bursting point, exploding with tons of clothes and shoes and scarves, purses spilling out everywhere, dresses fighting for room on the rack, hangers vying for a teensy bit of space. But one reason why it's so full is because I still have shirts and skirts in there from all the way back from my high school or yes, junior high, days. Whenever my friends see my closet, they're astounded I have so many clothes. But if you love fashion as much as I do, I usually tell them, you end up collecting a lot of pieces over the years. And as a fashionista, you don't throw things away because you know that trends eventually creep back onto the fashion radar. From now on I'll probably explain using Rachel's approach:
"I haven’t done a count in awhile, but I probably have a bit too much of everything. And that’s not in a sort of extravagant sense as much as it’s from a standpoint of, my rationale is being a collector of things. My vintage collection, and things like that, those are things I can’t ever part with and therefore, it just keeps growing. Instead of getting rid of things and then replacing them, I just keep adding. I am a shopper. I am a collector and I am a shopper, and I can’t really make an excuse for it other than that it’s my art and it’s what I do. And it’s something that in the back of my mind I hope someday my daughter will benefit from, you know what I mean?"

(Photo Credit to Getty Images)

Nanette Lepore's dark romance blouse

This ivory-colored Nanette Lepore blouse is an absolute jewel for fall. Let's start with the sweet bow tie at the neckline and the button placket trimmed in a luxurious strip of black lace. Then there's the sheer, pleated blouson sleeves, lovely lace cuffs, and cream-and-black contrast, which give the shirt such an air of dark romance. I'm thinking about wearing this underneath my new L'Wren Scott matador coat. Paired with suede black ankle boots and the right earrings (perhaps these Lauren Wolf earrings in a casting of stingray skin?), think of what a fashion statement that outfit would make!

L.A. style with a Boessert-Schorn tee

If you ever want to witness quintessential L.A. style, all you have to do is take a walk down Melrose Ave or Robertson Blvd and do a little people watching. The common uniform for girls is designer boho chic--printed maxi dresses cinched in with a leather belt, ragged cut-off shorts with a floaty blouse and wooden bangles, mini dresses paired with strappy gladiator sandals and tousled hair. This Boessert/Schorn shirt strikes me as what a fashion-savvy L.A. gal might wear on a Saturday spent shopping in Kitson. The fringed bib front is strikingly unique--cascading layers of thread in muted tones of white, red, and brown, which flashes a hint of skin yet still conceals everything. All you'd really need is a good pair of gladiators and denim shorts to blend in with the rest of the Angelenos!

The anti-cocktail party dress

I love discovering new brands, but the problem with that is I'm also discovering way more beautiful clothes than is possible for me to purchase. When I first discovered april, may! in New York, I knew I'd have to keep my eye open for them. And I'm glad I did, otherwise I'd never have stumbled upon this sleeveless dress in dark navy silk. The interesting straps, the silk-smooth texture, the racerback tank top and elastic strap across the back--the style is ultra modern and trendy, with a little bit of sex appeal thrown in for good measure. This is what I'd wear to a pretentious cocktail party with an older crowd, because the dress--to me, at least--hints that you're effortlessly cool and don't really care what anybody there thinks. If only I could achieve that image with all my clothes, I'd really have the perfect wardrobe right there!

The hunt for the birthday dress begins!

So my birthday is fast approaching and of course the most important thing on my mind is what to wear for that special day! Since I've been wearing my fave Pencey dress nonstop to go out, I figure that my bday is a good time to treat myself to a brand new frock. I was idly browsing online in my search for the perfect one when this Larsen Gray dress in lovely lipstick red practically screamed my name from Revolve Clothing's site. Though it doesn't come cheap, at least I can applaud the fact that the brand is well-known for making organic and fashionable clothing. The silhouette may be simple (a look I'm totally digging nowadays), but it'll be fun to dress up the sweetheart neckline with a standout statement necklace and choose the right accessories for the perfect bday outfit.

On Sale: Smythe les Vestes' chic coat

The most amazing deal has just come to my attention: this Smythe les Vestes tie neck coat. It is my humble opinion that this beautiful wool jersey jacket is the epitome of easy elegance. The 3/4-length sleeves keep it youthful, while the attached ivory-colored tie and funnel neck are undeniably sophisticated. From its original price of $660 to its currently sale price of $195, it's a steal. Take note of the impeccable tailoring, the contrasting colors. The model pictured looks so chic with her pulled back hair and the coat thrown over skinny dark jeans and plain black shoes. Such a perfect look for walking down the street in crisp fall weather, arm in arm with your man.

Vivienne Westwood's unstructured vest

Vivienne Westwood always seems to get it perfectly right with edgy, trendy separates, like this asymmetrical vest from her Anglomania collection. With its triangular hem and unstructured silhouette, the cropped vest features a faint stripe detail and a lovely, lustrous texture in gray. This beautifully made piece meshes just as easily with its matching skirt as with a pair of colorful matchstick jeans. In fact, a great simple ensemble would pair the vest with some low-slung trousers or even buttoned up over a silk shirtdress--an outfit that would totally ooze informal elegance.

JT as William Rast

Justin Timberlake's maturing fashion line, William Rast, intrigues me. Mostly because the short movies they've created to promote the clothes feature the stunning supermodel Erin Wasson and JT himself as outlaws on the run. Justin and his co-creator, Trace Ayala, will show the line at New York Fashion week next month, so I'm sure there will be more of their signature high quality denim and rugged outerwear on display.