TOP 10 for the Week of June 1st

Counting down to the #1 must-have item for the week of June 1st ... here are my top 10 fashion (or music or anything) picks for this week!



#10: hot pink nail polish
The brighter, the better! I am in lovvveeeee with this neon pink one from Essie (pictured above). It's so fresh and perfect for summer!



#9: funky knee highs
Knee high socks can transform a plain little outfit into something amazingly cool and unique. I absolutely love sockdreams.com! I found them on Polyvore, and they have so many fabulously awesome options. The pair pictured above are Space-Dyed Knee Highs by the Nouvella label.



#8: j. crew's linen ruffle cardigan
Why do I love this cardigan (pictured) so much? It's so feminine, and the color is absolutely perfect for the summer! Yellow keeps the look from getting too girly. I like the way the model is wearing it in the photo -- open. It's great to just throw on, or to make the centerpiece of an outfit!



#7: american apparel's figure skater dress
This dress is so simple, yet so fabulously versatile. Just one thing you should know: I AM NOT A FAN OF PURPLE. I maintain a general state of abhorrence toward the color. But, the grape shade of this dress (pictured) is just so ... perfect. It's vivid, bold, unique, and gorgeous! But enough raving about this particular shade of purple. It's time for #6...



#6: animal-print shorts
I love this look! It's great to mix with solid-print tops. Just be careful not to over-do it. I prefer to keep busy shorts, well, short. I especially love the design of this pair (pictured) from the new Target go designer, Rogan. However, they do have a little bit of an awkward fit, and run very small, so make sure to try 'em before you buy 'em.



#5: tie-dye
I cannot being to describe my passion for tie-dye. Not the tacky, rainbow, dye-an-ugly-ill-fitting-t-shirt kind of tie-dye, but the pick-a-few-good-colors-and-go-with-them kind of tie-dye. I'll wear tie-dye pants, tanks, coats, socks ... all you need is some good fashion judgement to avoid looking too hippy-ish. The above picture is a Stella McCartney dress. I would prefer it in a different color -- the gray is a bit drab. Something fresh, like electric blue or hot pink.



#4: bright eyeshadow
Eyeshadow in bold, fresh, neon hues really makes your eyes pop if you get it just right. The key is to only accentuate part of your eye (above or below) and to only play up your eyes (no really shiny pink lip gloss, please!). I love orange, bright green and pink, bold blue, and pretty, shimmery gold! Above is a gorgeous bright-but-not-too-bright mossy green from Malandrino.



#3: american apparel tulip skirt
I just LOVE this skirt! Although it comes in many different colors, I just love the red. It's so bright and springy (even though it's practically summer)!



#2: the beat
I am going crazy for Burberry's latest fragrance -- The Beat. You've seen the ads (hopefully). It's amazing. A fabulous and unique scent. They describe it perfectly: "A sparkling floral woody fragrance." It's very energetic and has an effortlessly cool vibe. Read on for the number one pick of the week...



#1: a copy of the june/july issue of teen vogue
If you aren't a subscriber, or just don't have a copy of this Teen Vogue issue yet, YOU NEED TO GET IT. Especially if you are a fashion lover! Not because it's a really great issue (actually it's not, and I'm not a huge fan of Hayden Panettiere, either, although I don't hate her), but because they are giving away over 8,000 items in freebies! If you're lucky, you'll score something amazing. Their calendar on pages 170-171 lists all the items and when you can enter to win them. You can also sign up for text message alerts! By the way, those Rogan shorts from this week's list and some customized, tie-dyed clothing (jeans, scarves, and trench coats!) from Rodarte (see pages 142-143 in the June/July issue for information and photos) are up for grabs! Click HERE for more information on this massive giveaway!


IMAGE CREDITS (top to bottom): eNailSupply.com; Sock Dreams; J. Crew; American Apparel; Target.com; NET-A-PORTER.COM; CondéNet; American Apparel; Sephora USA, Inc.; Tecktonik Media

Get Your Vintage Fix!

Wow. I haven't posted in such a long time. I've been so insanely busy it's not even funny. Anyway, before I buy a new flash drive and clean out my computer so I have more than 337.7 MB left (and therefore, am able to upload my photos), I thought I'd do a little post about vintage.

I am completely in love with vintage items right now. I've heard of quite a few great sites, so I'm not sure where to start. But I'll begin with eBay. I recently discovered that it is a fabulous place to find awesome vintage pieces. The eBay store Violetville Vintage is the best! They have loads of adorable finds, and are always updating. All their auctions start at less than $25! And who wouldn't be willing to pay that for these adorable shorts?

Next up, there's the Girls Love Shoes NYC online boutique. Click on the "Vintage" link and chose a category from the sidebar to start shopping! They have tons of great styles, including vintage designer heels (like these) and wicked awesome vintage boots (like these). You're bound to find something you love!

Then there's 28 Crash!, an amazing site for the greatest vintage finds. The site specializes in vintage clothing inspired by rock 'n' roll and pop culture icons. Here's the best part though: they modify many of their garments to fit the average woman! This means no strange box-y shapes or unflattering waists. They don't change the size -- just the fit. They also have their own 28 Crash! Label, which uses vintage pieces and thoughtfully re-creates them into something new. They are big on recycling and even save their fabric scraps to add flair to some of their pieces. They don't have a massive amount of items, but there is always something gorgeous for you! Examples: Their "Peach Ballerina Girl" dress and "Eyelet Ruffle Sundress". In addition, they also have a few shoe options and some cool jewelry and shades!

And we can't forget AdoreVintage. With tons of options, like gorgeous dresses and adorable sweaters, you can't go wrong. Enjoy!

Ali Michael, Now Too "Fat"?

I just read this highly disturbing article from the Wall Street Journal. Ali is an amazing girl with a lot perseverance. She dieted herself sick trying to keep her weight down and appeared on 31 Spring 2008 runways including Dior, Chanel, and Lanvin. And she's only 17 years old!

But after gaining five pounds, casting directors told her that her legs were too "fat" and she landed only ONE show (Yohji Yamamoto) in Paris this time. And she didn't even appear on her own -- it was in a group setting! See below:


Is this thin business getting out of hand? I think so. Ali Michael looks very healthy for a model, and I commend the fact that she choose not to starve herself -- instead, she went home. I really wouldn't notice a five-pound difference, and I think that this whole ordeal is absolutely ridiculous. If this (Anna Sui, New York) is considered fat...


...then what is thin? A skeleton? What is the world coming to? People need to wake up. "I think it's gotten worse. In the fashion industry, the models are getting thinner and thinner, yet as a culture, we're getting fatter and fatter," says Nina Garcia, fashion director of Elle magazine.

Is This Ridiculous or What?

Little-Lily.com has just launched its "Red Carpet Collection", which re-creates some of the hottest Oscar looks for around $100. There's a catch, though -- these garments are for your dog! Seriously, I have no idea what is going on in their heads over at the Little-Lily design center, because this is the wackiest thing I've ever heard of. Do they think its going to be the next big trend? Doggie Oscar gowns? They're offering up a dog-friendly version Jessica Alba's dress (The Jessica, pictured above on the right) for $104, Jennifer Garner's (The Jennifer) for $120, and Anne Hathaway's (The Anne) for $104. There's even a rendition of George Clooney's Armai tuxedo (The George) for $120.

Is this completely adorable, or just the most ridiculous idea you've ever heard of?

CREDIT: Amy Sancetta/AP

Red Carpet Style 2008

Each year, the gowns on the red carpet just get better and better, and 2008 was no exception! Some of my favorites:

Jennifer Garner. I absolutely feel in love with this Oscar de la Renta gown. It's fabulous, beautiful, and classy.

Cate Blanchett. Normally the dresses you see at the Academy Awards are solid-color gowns, but Cate looks amazing in this perfectly detailed one. I am also completely loving the color -- the deep blue may seem to edgy against pale skin, but she knows how to wear it.

Marion Cotillard. Another detailed gown, but in a sold color. I just fell in love with the mermaid-like shape, modern color, and texture.

Heidi Klum. The Project Runway host stood out in a sea of red dresses with this Haute Couture by John Galliano gown. It's stunning! The best part? It's going to be auctioned off to benefit Red Heart Truth charity. To bid, go to mycokerewards.com.

Kerri Russell. This strapless Nina Ricci evening gown is absolutely gorgeous! I love the soft color and the floaty fabric. It's perfectly accessorized with that necklace (H. Stern) as well.

Katherine Heigl. Another fabulous red dress. I love the shape of this one -- it's so modern and that detail on the shoulder makes it stand out from the usual red dress. Plus, it's elegant and flatters her beautifully.

Renée Zellweger. This Carolina Herrera dress is such a stunner -- it almost looks like Elie Saab Couture gown. It's so glam!

Penélope Cruz. Of course, we would expect no less from this ever-glamorous star. She looks absolutely elegant in her custom-designed (by Karl Lagerfeld) Chanel Haute Couture gown. And I adore the color -- it's simply gorgeous. As you know, I'm not the biggest fan of navy blue clothing, but this midnight color is fabulous!

What are your opinions on these gowns? Favorites? Least favorites?

CREDITS (from top to bottom): Axelle/Bauer-Griffin; Kevork Djansezian/AP; Kevork Djansezian/AP; Frazer Harrison/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty; Jeff Vespa/WireImage; Steve Granitz/WireImage; Kevork Djansezian/AP

Spring's Nail Polish Trend

I don't know about you, but I am definitely going to be painting my nails this spring. Just a little tidbit about myself: I rarely paint my nails. But this trend is so fabulous, how could anyone resist? Alright, want to know? The color is .... NAVY BLUE. Now, I am most definitely not a fan of navy blue at all, just let me say that. I think it looks very unprofessional, and when it really should be black, navy just looks horrible. But for your nails -- well, I am totally loving it!


Chanel's Blue Satin (461) Nail Polish was originally seen on models at the Chanel Spring 2008 show, and it went flying off the shelves. And now, it's sold out everywhere. Chanel is completely out online, and even Neiman Marcus no longer carries it. Why, if it is sold out then, am I telling you this now? Well, I was a little late too, I guess, but you can still snag some navy Wet N' Wild polish (in Sapphire Blue), so if you want to try this trend, then you better head to your local drugstore now (you couldn't even find black -- last year's nail color -- Wet N' Wild in 2007). I'm actually pretty disappointed I wasn't able to get the Chanel one, because the color is gorgeous, and it's very high quality. Go figure. But what I am curious to know is if they still sell the navy Chanel polish in Chanel stores in other countries besides the states? I'm not sure if it's a big trend there...

UPDATE: Sephora is now selling a limited edition Dior "Poison Blue" nail color! But it's going to sell out FAST and it's only available at Sephora.com, so submit your email now to be notified as soon as it arrives in stock!

UPDATE: Don't want to pay $19 for a bottle of [amazing] nail polish? Try OPI's "Yoga-Ta Get This Blue" nail color from the India Collection for only $7.89 at eNail Supply!

Will you be rocking navy nail polish this spring?

IMAGE: CollegeFashion.net

Spring Trends of 2008

Okay, I admit that I have been putting off this post for awhile now. Mainly because trend posts like these take hours to put up (for me, at least), although they are beneficial for those who love fashion. Well, here they are! The greatest spring trends...


COLORS
Of course, every season brings tons of fresh new colors, and spring this year will not disappoint any neon enthusiasts (come on, you know who you are!). You don't have to go all-out in a neon pink trench coat or some crazy pants in electric blue if you don't want to, but play around with bright and fun colors such as canary yellow, tomato red, and bright violet. Nonetheless, these eye-popping colors in soft, floaty fabrics and meticulously simple designs are a breath of fresh air from the chunky knits and dull colors the beginning of fall brought upon us. Designers (even Ralph Lauren!) have been lighting up the runways with fabulous styles and colors, so you definitely need to play around with this trend. Above: Versace dress.

TRIBAL
For some reason, I am totally digging this trend. It's fresh and new, yet you still get tons of cultural and ethnic flavors that have been around forever when you wear a fab little safari-inspired dress. It's a great way to go global, without leaving home. Plenty of designers (like DKNY, Diane von Furstenberg, Just Cavalli, Christian Lacroix, and so many more) are offering up great clothes with tribal prints, so you have plenty of opportunities to snag one -- whether or not you are paying full designer label prices. Above: Oscar de la Renta dress.

FLORALS
Of course, how typical. How could we survive one single spring without our precious rose clutches and Gucci's technologically-generated blooms? But, seriously, the flowers of 2008 won't have you yawning -- everything was on the runways this year, from fierce, techno blossoms to artsy, reed-inspired skirts. Need some garden inspiration yourself? Check out Thakoon's pastel creations or Aquascutum's simple, fresh prints in clean colors and cuts. Above: Missoni dress.

SHEER LAYERS
Yeah, time to renew your gym membership if you want to rock this trend and you're feeling a little out of shape. Simple, solid, and -- um -- mini clothes in all various colors appear under layers of floaty, pastel-colored or white sheer fabric and chiffon. This trend is refreshing and comfortable. But, if you're like me, you may think it's a little strange and aren't ready to bear too much skin, so try a gorgeous Betsy & Adam party dress from Nordstrom's with a sheer overlay and lace inset or a chic Development smock top from Net-A-Porter with a lace inset. Above: J. Mendel dress.

THE SUIT GETS A MAKEOVER
The perfect way to mix masculine and feminine? Putting a flirty touch on the classic suit. This season, designers such as Karl Lagerfeld were more focused on bringing a glam-rock vibe to the two-piece look, while Marios Schwab and Todd Lynn were playing with fitted jackets and body-hugging skirts and pants. Above: Jens Laugesen suit.

BOHEMIAN ELEGANCE
I love bohemian and I love this trend! It's completely perfect for that formal night when you need a gorgeous, floor-length dress. In a way, it ties in a little with the recurring floral trend, because of the floaty fabrics and some of the prints are very paisley. So, this spring, pair a gorgeous bohemian dress in deep purple, cream, or maybe with a touch of green/gold with some elegant gold heels and a gold clutch and you're set for a night out. Even shop around to see if you can find a shirt that'll do the job -- you can wear it to more places, and dress it up (with dark jeans and heels), or dress it down (with leather flip flops and a nice pair of shorts). Above: Roberto Cavalli gown, available at net-a-porter.com.

HIPPIES ARE BACK?!
Well, at least in fashion they are. Don't cringe yet -- everything has been totally modernized (and we can only hope it won't all get out of hand!). Look out for fringe bags and dresses, dashes of tie-dye (please not the tacky dye-an-ugly-shirt-rainbow), and Prada's lilac and teal palette. Also check for pieces that mix both rock and sixties psychedelia from Nina Ricci. Above: a Maurizio Pecoraro ensemble.

IMAGES (top/bottom, left/right): Marcio Madeira; Marcio Madeira; Marcio Madeira; Marcio Madeira; Marcio Madeira; net-a-porter.com; Marcio Madeira